▼

Phil Mickelson once taught the most important lesson to the World no. 1 golfer, Jon Rahm

 

Details about Jon Rahm's Coach The Impact of Phil Mickelson on the Spanish: 'A Great Sounding Board'

 

Rumor has it that Phil Mickelson once taught the most important lesson to the World no. 1 golfer, Jon Rahm. Turn out, not a rumor, after all, the Spaniard’s coach, Dave Phillips, recently revealed this shocking news in an interview with golf.com. 

It is a known fact that Phil’s brother, Tim, coached Rahm when he was an amateur. Notably, after closely watching the game of the Spaniard, Mickelson was more than impressed. In fact, he even made a bet with Colt Knost, saying Jon would be on the Top 10 list of the Official World Golf Ranking in less than a year.

 



Related:  Phil Mickelson's swings is unlike any other pro, You’ll be fascinated watching it from every angle in slow motion. 

 

 

 

Interestingly, when Mickelson made that bet, Rahm was not even in the Top 300. However, the golf legend proved to be right, as Jon made it all the way to the Top 10 in a year’s time. 

 However, it was never revealed that Jon considers Phil as a mentor. Recently, in an interview with golf.com, Dave Phillips, Jon’s coach, opened up on the impact Mickelson has had on the World No. 1.

The impact Phil Mickelson had on Jon Rahm!



 

“I think Phil has been a great sounding board for Jon,” said Philips. He explained that Jon got to learn a lot from Phil. Jon knew how to be a good golfer; however, he lacked the social skills that golfers need in today’s day and age. And Phil helped him with that. 

 The golf legend didn’t give a 101 class on how to be a crowd-pleaser. But, Phil’s mannerism on the course was more than enough for Rahm to learn from. Notably, Mickelson is known to be a crowd-pleaser. In fact, the PGA Tour recently posted a video of Phil’s interaction with the fans as well.

Related:

Phil Mickelson shoots again on PGA Tour driver rule, says players didn't have 'any kind of representation'

Phil Mickelson shoots again on PGA Tour driver rule, says players didn't have 'any kind of representation'

Golfsolutions October 13, 2021
Phil Mickelson shoots again on PGA Tour driver rule, says players didn't have 'any kind of representation' If for some reason you don’t already follow...

 

Phillips added, “There’s nobody better with the fans than Phil.” He explained that even after the 51-year-old lost a match, he would still stay with the fans and sign their autographs. The coach genuinely sounded surprised when he said, “I mean, who does that?” 

Phil Mickelson certainly is a fan-favorite, and it is his interactions with the fans that make him unique. Hence, safe to say, Jon Rahm chose the right mentor to learn from as there is no one better than Phil at both gameplay and people management.

 

Source:  essentiallysports.com



-

D'Angelo: Lydia Ko knows what it's like to be on top of the world and she's headed back there

D'Angelo: Lydia Ko knows what it's like to be on top of the world and she's headed back there

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Lydia Ko looked down at her ball, honed in on the pin, and repeated the process two more times. She then stepped back, lifted the face of her club and pulled out a tee to clean the grooves.

The biggest shot of the Gainbridge LPGA was coming and she was standing in a greenside bunker on the 18th hole at Boca Rio. But having successfully gotten up and down twice before from a bunker, she was confident with what was coming.

“Because of that, I think that made that shot a lot easier,” Ko said.

The ball landed softly on the green and rolled to within about two feet of the cup. After Danielle Kang’s long putt rolled just left of the cup, the outcome was inevitable. Ko made her tap-in for a final-round 69 which put her at 14-under 274 for the tournament, one shot better than Kang, who shot 68 Sunday.

Ko’s resume includes 17 LPGA titles, including two majors, and two Olympic medals, a silver in 2016 and bronze last summer in Tokyo. Not bad for someone who is three months shy of her 25th birthday.

Gainbridge LPGA

Lydia Ko and Danielle Kang hug on the 18th green after Ko defeated Kang by one stroke to win the 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio Golf Club on January 30, 2022 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

But her story is one of a child prodigy whose rise was meteoric, fall was almost as fast and now is using all of those experiences to regain that lofty status.

Ko won her first LPGA event as an amateur at 15 years and four months, surpassing the record set by Lexi Thompson, who was the previous youngest champion after winning at 16 years and seven months. The winner’s share of $300,000 was rewarded to the runner-up who was three strokes back.

Then, she did it again the next year, defending her title once again as an amateur. This time the winning share of $300,000 went to the runner-up who was five shots back.

Finally, later that year, she turned pro and started having those winnings’ checks made out in her name. Checks that now have surpassed $12.6 million.

Then came the rise to No. 1 in the world rankings, which she attained at 17 years and nine months, the youngest professional golfer – woman or man – to be ranked No. 1.

“I heard people say, ‘you make it look easy,’ ” Ko said. “I’m like, ‘trust me it’s not easy.’

“I think when someone is playing so well … they make it look very easy. You know what? They’re putting their 100% energy and still playing amazing golf. I think it almost doesn’t get as much credit as it should.”

The dip came quick. After being No. 1 for 158 weeks, including the third longest consecutive streak of 85 weeks, she started a descent that saw her fall to No. 55 after the 2020 LPGA Drive On Championship. She said she struggled with trying to be who she once was, instead of finding out what worked for her at that time.

“I feel very fortunate about the things that happened earlier in my career,” Ko said. “When I wasn’t playing as well I think I wanted to be the person that I was and … put myself back to when I was No. 1.”

Then came advice from someone who walked her shoes. Stacy Lewis, one of three American golfers who reached No. 1 in world, told Ko she could not retrace those steps.

“Try to be the best player, best person you can be now,” Lewis told her.

“I think hearing that advice from somebody like her, that really helped me to have the confidence and to just believe in the process of sometimes you’re going to take two steps back, but you just keep working and working at just trying to be the best,” Ko said. “I’m just trying to be the best version I can be today.”

The return to the top is a work on progress. Ko reached No. 3 in the world after a top 10 finish last weekend at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando and will remain there when the rankings come out Monday.

“When you keep knocking on the door, you feel like at one point it’s going to open,” she said.

On this day, that door opened with a clutch putt of about 20 feet that she started a couple of feet to the right and curled into the hole for a birdie. That allowed Ko to regain the lead after relinquishing a two-shot advantage entering Sunday on the first three holes.

“That putt on 15 was kind of the momentum shifter,” Ko said.

And shifting momentum is something she knows all about in a career that, at her age, is just getting started for some.

Source: Golfweek https://ift.tt/HXM7a4zEf
-

What are Tiger Woods' criteria for determining who the best golfer is?


Tiger Woods is the most well-known golfer in the world. In all sports, GOAT debates are popular. Woods, on the other hand, has a unique viewpoint on the discussion over who is the best golfer of all time.

Tiger Woods Once Ended the GOAT Debate With a Powerful Statement: ‘You Have to Be Able to Say You’ve Played in So Many Different Eras, and I Have’

 Recently, he spoke about the criteria for deciding who is the best ever.

Tiger Woods’s criteria for deciding who is the best?

Woods has probably made more contributions to the sport of golf than any other professional. He presumably has one of the most beautiful golf swings with an immaculate short game and is a great ball striker. Tiger is also a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and a former world number one. GOAT, as he is often referred to is famous for his “Club Twirls”.

Related:

Opinion: Crash shows that Tiger Woods is not just an athlete, but a flesh-and-blood human being

The American professional spoke to TIME before his 40th birthday, last year. He spoke about that are the criteria for defining who is the best ever? Tiger said, “You can’t compare eras. You really can’t. It’s like, O.K., who’s the better [pro basketball] center: Bill Russell or Shaq? You just can’t say who was the best because the game has changed so much. Jack crossed so many eras because he played for so long, and he was in contention for so long.”

 

 



 

 

 

He added, “The same could be said for Sam Snead. How many eras did he play through? He ended up winning, what, at 54, when he won at Greensboro? I think you have to be able to say you’ve played in so many different eras, and I have.

Tiger Woods equals Sam Snead’s record

Woods won the 2019 ZOZO Championship, as a result of winning his 82nd PGA Tour title, he equaled Sam Snead’s record for most PGA Tour victories with 82 wins.

 

Will Tiger break Jacks’ record for most major wins?



Source: .essentiallysports.com
Brennan: Let's appreciate Tiger Woods' remarkable return to golf, and hope for more

Brennan: Let's appreciate Tiger Woods' remarkable return to golf, and hope for more

Golfsolutions December 18, 2021
Brennan: Let's appreciate Tiger Woods' remarkable return to golf, and hope for more ![CDATA[ "(function() {var sc = document.createElement(\"script\"),...
-

Best irons of 2022 for every budget and handicap

Best irons of 2022 for every budget and handicap

Golf’s surge in popularity over the last two years has brought an influx of new players to the game, many of whom either borrowed clubs from friends or rented sets from the course. Maybe they just reached into the demo bucket at the local range and discovered that while golf is challenging, it is also rewarding, especially when you hit a great shot.

When it comes to irons, there are more options than ever before, ranging from muscleback blades for elite players who want to maximize their ability to curve the ball and shape shots to distance-enhancing irons to clubs that look and perform like miniature hybrids.

The best way to discover which set of irons is best for you is to work with a good custom fitter and try as many different combinations of heads and shafts as possible. The irons listed below can act as a great starting point on your journey to finding your next perfect set.

We occasionally recommend interesting products, services, and gaming opportunities. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Golfweek operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Source: Golfweek https://ift.tt/HXM7a4zEf
-

Lexi Thompson reacts during the Final round of the 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio Golf Club

 

Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio - Round Three
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Lexi Thompson reacts from the 2nd green during the third round of the 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio Golf Club on January 29, 2022 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)


Watch highlights from the final round of the 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio:

 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio Round 4 | Round Highlights - extended:

More:

 

Sources: gettyimages & Lpga

 

Lexi Thompson looking forward to Bubba Watson pairing at QBE Shootout

Lexi Thompson looking forward to Bubba Watson pairing at QBE Shootout

Golfsolutions November 22, 2021
Lexi Thompson looking forward to Bubba Watson pairing at QBE Shootout NAPLES, Fla. — After not being able to play due to the U.S. Women’s Open being the...
-

Patrick Newcomb makes birdie on final hole to win by one at Torrey Pines as APGA Tour shines in TV debut

Patrick Newcomb makes birdie on final hole to win by one at Torrey Pines as APGA Tour shines in TV debut

The APGA Tour sure didn’t disappoint in its first-ever nationally televised event.

Playing the South Course at Torrey Pines just a day after Luke List won the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open, veteran Tim O’Neal and Patrick Newcomb stood on the 18th tee tied for the lead at even par. Both found the par-5 green in three, setting up a putting contest from inside six feet for birdie and the win. Newcomb was first to play, curling  his putt into the bottom of the hole while O’Neal’s caught the left edge and missed.

“It was a long day. We’re out there for a long, long time. It’s a tough course, tested everybody,” said Newcomb after the round on Golf Channel. “It wasn’t my finest hour on the greens, finally holed one there at the last.”

The win is Newcomb’s first on tour and follows a strong 2021 season where in six starts the 31-year-old didn’t finish worse than T-10. O’Neal, winner of the 2019 APGA Scottsdale at TPC Scottsdale, finished runner-up with Marcus Byrd third at 4 over and three players T-4 at 5 over: Willie Mack III, Trey Valentine and Kevin Hall.

Since 2010 the APGA Tour, a non-profit organization, has been striving to help prepare African Americans and other minority golfers to compete and win at the highest levels of professional golf.

“I think it’s great. This tour has been fantastic, I’ve played it all year,” said Newcomb of the APGA. “This was a great spot for me. The guys are great and I’m just excited to get the win.”

Source: Golfweek https://ift.tt/HXM7a4zEf
-

Lydia Ko holds off Danielle Kang for one-shot win at Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio

Lydia Ko holds off Danielle Kang for one-shot win at Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio

BOCA RATON — Lydia Ko and Danielle Kang had gone head to head for two days and 35 holes over the Boca Rio Golf Club course, so standing on the 18th tee Sunday afternoon with a one-shot lead, Ko had one thought in mind:

“Please, I don’t want to play this hole again.”

Despite hitting her drive on the 415-yard par-4 finishing hole into a fairway bunker and her 5-iron approach into a greenside bunker, Ko avoided a sudden-death playoff with her good friend, getting up and down for par and a victory in the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.

Ko, 24, shot rounds of 63-70-72-69 for a 14-under-par 274 to earn her 17th career triumph and $300,000 on a day that was forecast to be frigid by South Florida standards, but turned out to be gorgeous with cloudless blue skies, light winds and temperatures in the upper 50s.

For Kang, whose runner-up finish followed her victory in the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando, her 4-under 68, like too many of her putts Sunday, came up just short.

“I played some really good golf out there. I hit some quality shots, today and yesterday,” said Kang, who was tied with Ko at 11 under after two rounds and was paired with her Saturday.

Ko shot even par that day and Kang, who opened with rounds of 65-68, shot 74 to begin the final day two shots behind.

Lydia Ko kisses the trophy after winning the 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio Golf Club on January 30, 2022 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Both players birdied the par-5 first hole, but Ko bogeyed the second and Kang birdied the third to pull into a tie at 11 under. Both birdied the 11th, then Kang birdied the 12th to take the lead at 13 under.

Kang, 29, a California native who lives in Las Vegas, bogeyed the par-3 13th when she missed the green to the left, pitched on but failed to convert the 5-foot par putt. Ko regained the lead at 13 under with a birdie at the 15th. At the par-5 16th, Ko rolled in her uphill birdie attempt, but Kang made a shorter, more breaking birdie putt on top of it to remain close.

At the par-3 17th, Kang’s birdie putt stopped inches short of the hole and Ko two-putted for par. At the 18th, Kang had about a 20-footer to tie, but it slid just past the hole.

“I felt like she was going to hole it. She putted so good today,” Ko said. “I feel like even the ones that didn’t go in had a high chance of her making.”

“The last hole, that was a really great shot into that pin,” said Kang. “I hit a great putt, but it didn’t break. The greens are really tough to read out here.

“The three-footers were really hard for me because the ball kept sitting in a hole. I hit two putts that were in a hole and they bounced out and didn’t even hit the cup.”

Yuka Saso of Japan shot a 5-under 67, highlighted by birdies on the 17th and 18th holes, to finish third at 12-under 276. Charley Hull of England shot 68 to end up tied for fourth at 11-under with Celine Boutier of France, who shot 69 playing with Ko and Kang.

“I played really well today,” said Hull, who had three birdies on her front nine and two birdies and a bogey on the back. “I started off pretty good and hit it close on the back nine on pretty much most holes. I just couldn’t get the putts going in. I was making good strokes, but just misreading them a little bit.”

Canadian Brooke Henderson, who was 6-under through her first 10 holes with four birdies and an eagle, shot 68 to tie for sixth with Lexi Thompson of Delray Beach at 7 under.

“The front nine was a lot of fun,” Henderson said. “We were making some birdies and I was really running and trying to chase down that lead as best I could. Making the turn, it looked like if I could have a solid back nine I could post a low score in the clubhouse. Unfortunately I didn’t finish off the way I wanted to, but I definitely started the way I wanted to.”

Jessica Korda of Jupiter shot 71 to finish in a seven-way tie for 20th at 2 under that included her sister, Nelly, who will fall to No. 2 in the world rankings behind Jin Young Ko.

World Golf Hall of Famer Karrie Webb of Boynton Beach shot 74 to finish at 4 over, and Jaye Marie Green of Jupiter also shot 74 to finish at 9 over.

Source: Golfweek https://ift.tt/HXM7a4zEf
-

Watch highlights from the final round of the 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio


 

 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio Round 4 | Round Highlights - extended:

 


Lydia Ko speaks live with the media after winning the 2022
@GainbridgeLPGA
!
 
They certainly deserved to win that game: 
 

Lydia Ko wins her 17th career @LPGA Tour victory at the @GainbridgeLPGA , becoming the first player to reach 17 Tour wins before age 25 since Nancy Lopez in 1979. 🏆

 Watch the Final Round Highlights | 2022 Gainbridge LPGA:


 

 

 

FULL LEADERBOARD:

 

 

 

POSSTARTPLAYERTO PARTHRUROUNDROUNDTOTALSTART
STARTPROJ1234

FULL LEADERBOARD

LAST UPDATED (LOCAL TOURNAMENT TIME)1/30/2022 6:33:23 PM
11T102-14F-363707269274
LYDIAKO
2211-13F-465687468275
DANIELLEKANG
3464-12F-567707267276
YUKASASO
T44-8-11F-467717168277
CHARLEYHULL
T43T45-11F-372676969277
CELINEBOUTIER
T610-14-7F-470707368281
LEXITHOMPSON
T61023-7F-468717468281
BROOKE M.HENDERSON
T810-19-6F-367727469282
MAUDE-AIMEELEBLANC
T87T1811-6F-268727270282
STACYLEWIS
T87-19-6F-267727370282
HYE-JINCHOI

T11231210-5F-570707667283
GEORGIAHALL
T11102113-5F-268737270283
ALLYEWING
T1323-25-4F-468707868284
BRONTELAW
T1321-25-4F-368747369284
AMYYANG
T1317-25-4F-266727670284
ADITIASHOK
T1310T1312-4F-171687471284
PATTYTAVATANAKIT
T1310-25-4F-168697671284
JODIEWART SHADOFF
T1834-30-3F-473707468285
PAULINEROUSSIN-BOUCHARD
T187-30-3F+169727173285
AYAKAFURUE
T2034-36-2F-372717469286
PORNANONGPHATLUM
T2023-36-2F-270747270286
MEGANKHANG
T2023-36-2F-268727670286
CARLOTACIGANDA
T2023T47-2F-268727670286
NELLYKORDA
T202179-2F-172687571286
JESSICAKORDA
T2010-36-2F+168727373286
IN GEECHUN
T206T1816-2F+367717375286
NASAHATAOKA
T2740T1318-1F-370707869287
RYANNO'TOOLE
T2734-43-1F-271737370287
SARAHSCHMELZEL
T2734-43-1F-269707870287
SUOH
T27232724-1F-171747171287
ANNANORDQVIST


Source: Lpga 


2022: Round 3 - Round Highlights Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio & FULL LEADERBOARD

2022: Round 3 - Round Highlights Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio & FULL LEADERBOARD

Golfsolutions January 29, 2022
  Watch the Round Highlights from Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, 01/29/2022 Welcome from the official channel of the LPGA Tour. Here you can find...
-