19th Hole

Multiple major champ says the pros should be made to play Persimmon woods

Published

3 years ago

Mar 17, 2023

Jason Daniels

Bifurcation – ‘the point or area at which something divides into two branches or parts.’ (Merriam-Webster dictionary.)

Related: Golf legend sounds off on ‘nutbag’ Phil Mickelson, ‘comical’ Cam Smith and ‘clown’ Sergio Garcia

Not a word heard very often, or at all, but now one ingrained into virtually every golf story in the past 48 hours, and now legendary player Tony Jacklin has joined other professionals in suggesting something other than the proposed Model Local Rule, where compettion organisers could enforce a ruling to ensure the players use a ball that travels shorter than balls currently used by professionals and amateurs alike.

The idea is not new. Indeed, the concept of differing balls used by the two sectors of golfer was debated on here as far back as 2017, but with technology moving apace and with players getting stronger and fitter, the two rules makers have proposed a move to stop the huge hitting players that “threaten golf’s long-term sustainability and undermines the core principle that a broad and balanced set of playing skills” that should “remain the primary determinant of golf.”

Whilst everyday golfers will always try to match their professional counterparts, it is a rare thing to hear any comment that it’s unfair that they can’t hit the distances of Bryson, Rory, Cameron Young et al, particularly as distance does not always equate to accuracy.

Player such as Long Drive World Championship runner-up Bryson DeChambeau called the move ” the most atrocious thing that you could possibly do to the game of golf,” whilst current PGA Champion Justin Thomas (wearing a manufacturer’s cap) said the proposed move was “selfish” and that it ignored the fact that “we [the professional golfers] are athletes now.”

On Wednesday, two-time major winner and twice winning captain of the European Ryder Cup side added his opinion to the debate surrounding length.

The 78-year-old took to Twitter to suggest the way to overcome the bombers is to bring back persimmon woods for the professional elite.

Bring back persimmon for pros,end of story !!!

— Tony Jacklin CBE (@jacklin_tony) March 15, 2023

Many replies were in agreement, suggesting the smaller head and sweet spot meant the driver used to be the hardest club in the bag to hit and the reason why classic courses were so difficult.

pic.twitter.com/YosKAMW1Tq

— Dan Malloy (@DoubleEagleDan) March 16, 2023

The last player to win a The Masters using a persimmon wood was Berhard Langer in 1993, with players such as Justin Leonard and David Love keeping one in the bag after the majority had moved on to metal beasts.

I’d just like to see top players having to hit medium irons into par 4’s. I’m guessing those days have gone!

— Tony Jacklin CBE (@jacklin_tony) March 15, 2023

Whilst it seems as though viewers like to see reachable par-4s, there is a particular delight in watching the guile required around the classic, shorter tracks such as this week’s Copperhead, host of the Valspar Championship.

Whilst Jacklin seems to concede the days of four-iron or five-iron to par-4s is a thing of the past, the current move is certainly trying to get close to it.

How much each player won at the 2026 Masters

Published

1 month ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Rory McIlroy made it two wins in as many years at Augusta National, seeing off the challengers on a dramatic Sunday to slip on the green jacket once again. The victory earned Rory a whopping payday of $4.5 million, with Scottie Scheffler his closest challenger earning $2.43 million for his sole runner-up finish.

With a total prize purse of $22.5 million up for grabs, here’s a look at how much each player won at the 2026 Masters tournament.

For players that did not make the cut, they still earned $25k for their efforts at the year’s opening major.

1: Rory McIlroy, $4.5 million
2: Scottie Scheffler, $2.43 million
T3: Tyrrell Hatton, $1.08 million
T3: Russell Henley, $1.08 million
T3: Justin Rose, $1.08 million
T3: Cameron Young, $1.08 million
T7: Collin Morikawa, $725,625
T7: Sam Burns, $725,625
T9: Xander Schauffele, $630,00
T9: Max Homa, $630,00
11: Jake Knapp, $562,500
T12: Jordan Spieth, $427,500
T12: Brooks Koepka, $427,500
T12: Hideki Matsuyama, $427,500
T12: Patrick Reed, $427,500
T12: Patrick Cantlay, $427,500
T12: Jason Day, $427,500
T18: Viktor Hovland, $315,000
T18: Maverick McNealy, $315,000
T18: Matt Fitzpatrick, $315,000
T21: Keegan Bradley, $252,000
T21: Ludvig Aberg, $252,000
T21: Wyndham Clark, $252,000
T24: Matt McCarty, $182,083
T24: Adam Scott, $182,083
T24: Sam Stevens, $182,083
T24: Chris Gotterup, $182,083
T24: Michael Brennan, $182,083
T24: Brian Campbell, $182,083
T30: Alex Noren, $146,250
T30: Harris English, $146,250
T30: Shane Lowry, $146,250
T33: Gary Woodland, $121,500
T33: Dustin Johnson, $121,500
T33: Brian Harman, $121,500
T33: Tommy Fleetwood, $121,500
T33: Ben Griffin, $121,500
T38: Jon Rahm, $105,750
T38: Ryan Gerard, $101,250
T38: Haotong Li, $96,750
T41: Justin Thomas, $92,250
T41: Sepp Straka, $87,750
T41: Jacob Bridgeman, $83,250
T41: Kristoffer Reitan, $78,750
T41: Nick Taylor, $74,250
46: Sungjae Im, $69,750
47: Si Woo Kim, $65,250
48: Aaron Rai, $61,650
T49: Corey Conners, $57,600
T49: Marco Penge, $57,600
51: Kurt Kitayama, $55,250
52: Sergio Garcia, $54,000
53: Rasmus Hojgaard, $52,650
54: Charl Schwartzel, $51,300

19th Hole

CBS’s Sunday Masters coverage slammed by golf fans

Published

1 month ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

While Sunday was a dramatic day at the Masters, many golf fans were left feeling frustrated by the CBS final round coverage.

There were plenty of moments that golf fans took to social media to air their frustrations on Sunday over, including a lack of shots being shown throughout the day, being behind the live action, confusion over the approach shots of the final group on 18, and providing an angle for the winning putt where the cup couldn’t be seen.

Here’s a look at some of the criticisms that were directed at the CBS coverage throughout the day on X:

This has been a brutal broadcast for CBS. When the folks from Augusta sit down with them this year, you can bet they’ll talk about this 15 seconds where we have no idea where Rory’s ball went, and Dottie moans. #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/ak3mkpIN7V

— Ryan (@PossiblyRy) April 12, 2026

It’s rare criticism coming in for CBS, who are usually heavily praised for their Masters coverage each year.

19th Hole

The surprise club Tommy Fleetwood says is key to his Masters chances

Published

1 month ago

Apr 7, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Tommy Fleetwood goes in search for the first major victory of his career again this week, with the Englishman proving to be a popular pick at Augusta National.

Fleetwood’s best showing at Augusta came back in 2024 where he finished T3, and while speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, the 35-year-old emphasized the importance of his 9-wood in his pursuit of the green jacket.

Speaking on Tuesday to media, Fleetwood said:

“It’s a great 9-wood golf course. I think it’s always been — I can’t remember when I first put like a 9-wood in or a high lofted club, but it’s a perfect like 9-wood golf course. I’ve had that in the bag for a few years.”

The Englishman continued, revealing that his strategy for the week won’t just be to hit driver off the tee as much as possible:

“Yeah, it’s funny really because I know Augusta is probably associated with being fairly forgiving off the tee in a way, so you think you can whale around driver a little bit. But I don’t necessarily think that’s always the play for me. I think there’s holes that set up really well where I can draw it with the mini driver if I’m feeling less comfortable with the driver and things like that.”

That strategy he believes will make his TaylorMade Qi10 9-wood extra critical this week in Georgia:

“The biggest thing is the 9-wood for me. If I can put myself in position on the par-5s or the 4th long par-3, like it — for me, I can’t really hit that high 4-iron, so 9-wood helps me a lot.”