For comments: ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we head towards The American Express.

1. New PGA Tour PAC members

PGATour.com staff…”The PGA TOUR today announced the 16-member Player Advisory Council (PAC) for 2023. The PAC advises and consults with the PGA TOUR Policy Board (Board of Directors) and Commissioner Jay Monahan on issues affecting the TOUR.”

• “Maverick McNealy, Adam Scott and Kevin Streelman have been selected by the Player Directors to run for PAC Chairman via election which ends February 13. The leading vote-getter will replace Charley Hoffman on January 1, 2024 as a Player Director on the PGA TOUR Policy Board, serving a three-year term (2024-26). The other Player Directors are Peter Malnati (2023-25), Rory McIlroy (2022-24), Webb Simpson (2023-25) and Patrick Cantlay, who is serving a one-year term (2023).”

“Full list…

Ryan Armour

Sam Burns

Corey Conners

Rickie Fowler

Brice Garnett

Brian Harman

Max Homa

Mackenzie Hughes

Shane Lowry

Maverick McNealy

Keith Mitchell

Henrik Norlander

Scottie Scheffler

Adam Scott

Kevin Streelman

Will Zalatoris

2. Kim on “lucky chip”

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…“Despite a tricky lie into the grain, Kim got the 10-yard chip running on a good line. Seconds later, the ball disappeared into the right side of the cup. Birdie. Tie ballgame.”

• “It’s like, if he made a par, like I’m more nervous because I have to save it, and then especially into the grain with the pressure, it’s much nervous for me,” Kim said. “But I knew it [was birdie]. I heard the sounds. Bogey is fine. I have to pass the hole, so I have to hit it aggressive. I think that really helps. Nothing to lose.”

• …”I just trying to kept calm, and calm was like little like less back nine, but I was keep trying to calm,” he said.

• “Was a lucky chip.”

3. Nick Faldo’s new gig

Adam Woodard for Golfweek…”It didn’t take long for Sir Nick Faldo to find his next job in golf after his retirement from TV last year.”

• “The six-time major champion announced Monday morning that he will be the new long-term host for the DP World Tour’s Betfred British Masters, held at The Belfry in England until 2026. The 2023 event is set for June 29-July 2.”

• “I’m very honored to have some very exciting news. Next year the Betfred British Masters will be hosted by yours truly, Sir Nick Faldo,” he said in a video released on Twitter. “It will be played at The Belfry, I’ve got lots of fun, happy memories there from the great Ryder Cup days. I will be hosting it for the next five years, so I’m sure we’re going to have a great field.”

4. Nelly’s new sponsors

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…“Nelly Korda’s 2023 changes aren’t limited to her apparel. Shortly after an announcement that she’s joined the Nike staff, TaylorMade posted that the World No. 2 had joined its roster.”

• “Beginning this week at the LPGA Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona in Florida, Korda will play a bag that’s full of TaylorMade equipment and TP5 golf balls. Korda will also wear TaylorMade-branded headwear and sport a TaylorMade staff bag.”

• “I signed with TaylorMade because of their proven ability to elevate the game of the best golfers in the world,” Korda said in a release. “In testing with the tour team, it was clear that not only was I working with high-performing equipment, but also a team that shared my passion for working as hard as possible to be in the best position to win. I’m thrilled to a part of Team TaylorMade.”

5. Big fines for LPGA pros?

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…”A couple of top-tier LPGA players are subject to a $25,000 fine for skipping this year’s Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. The LPGA’s 1-in-4 requirement stipulates that players in the top 80 of the CME points list compete in a domestic event once every four years.”

• “Both Minjee Lee and Jin Young Ko have been absent from the TOC field in recent years and would need to compete in 2023 to avoid penalty. Tommy Tangtiphaiboontana, VP of tour operations for the LPGA, said that both players have the right to appeal, and the decision would go to the commissioner. Ko had signed up for the event but withdrew.”

6. PGA Tour pros playing Saudi International

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Cameron Young and three other PGA Tour players are slated to play in next month’s PIF Saudi International, according to the official tournament field list, which was posted Monday.”

• “Young, the reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, will be joined by current PGA Tour members Lucas Herbert, Jhonattan Vegas and Cameron Champ, all of whom would’ve needed to have had waivers approved by the PGA Tour in order to compete in the Asian Tour event, which will be played Feb. 2-5 at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, opposite the Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.”

• “Multiple sources had previously told Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch, who also co-hosts Golf Channel’s “Golf Today,” that the PGA Tour had approved such waivers for Young and Co.”

7. Interesting reason why Adam Scott is skipping the WMPO

• “Well, I don’t have a good reason for you. The embarrassing reason is I actually thought it went Phoenix, Pebble, LA, so I didn’t even consider it from the beginning.”

• “Yeah, I think spending a little time at home in Australia seems too good for me after two and a half years of not going home, so an extra week is nice.”

• Apparently, Scott thought the event in Phoenix would take place before the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, making it difficult for his typical schedule, but it actually takes place after Pebble Beach and before Riviera.”

8. LIV to…The CW Network!?

A prediction from John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal…”No, it’s not going to be with Fox, despite rumors that the two were close to a deal last fall. Instead, LIV Golf will make a deal with The CW Network, which is majority owned by Nexstar. LIV will not receive a rights fee, but it will handle the bulk of ad sales. LIV also will handle all production

9. AmEx Photos

• Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!