19th Hole

Moderator shuts down reporter over merger question at Matt Fitzpatrick U.S. Open presser

Published

3 years ago

Jun 13, 2023

Over the past few weeks, most of the attention in the world of golf has gone to the “merger” between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian Private Investment Fund.

Related: Phil Mickelson’s LIV team is being sued by an Argentine clothing brand

On Monday, the defending U.S. Open Champion, Matt Fitzpatrick conducted a pre-tournament interview for this year’s edition of the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. The Englishman was asked an array of questions involving the PGA TOUR and PIF deal to begin his interview.

Related: ‘Best bag I’ve ever seen!’ – TaylorMade’s 2023 U.S. Open staff bag is turning heads in LA

When he was asked how he felt about it all, Fitzpatrick responded:

“I’ll be completely honest,” he said. “I literally know as much as you. I found out when everyone else found out. I know nothing.”

When pressed further, Fitzpatrick described the situation as “confusing”.

“I guess,” Fitzpatrick began. “It was confusing last year. I seem to remember just thinking about the tournament. It was obviously different because I had the tie to the golf course and the history there, so probably was easier for me to mentally focus on that and be in a better place than obviously all this confusion that’s going on this week.

“I guess the whole thing is confusing.”

“Well, I think I just don’t know what’s going on. I don’t think anyone knows what’s going on. Are we signing with the PIF? Are we not signing with the PIF? I have no idea. Even though it is confusing, it’s pretty clear that nobody knows what’s going on apart from about four people in the world.”

After a few more questions that were going nowhere fast, the moderator stepped in and asked for questions related to the U.S. Open.

“I think it’s been asked and answered so we’re going to move on to US Open topics.”

Gonna be a lot of this happening this week. pic.twitter.com/iiQ0SkOu07

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) June 12, 2023

After that was out of the way, Fitzpatrick talked about what winning a major last year meant to his career.

“Winning last year gave me the boost that when I played my best or when I play well, I can compete with anyone and I can win a major,” he explained.

“That was the biggest thing for me to take away turning up to events, knowing that my game feels in good shape and I’ve got a chance to win this week.

“Previously I’ve felt like I played well and not necessarily competed in majors. It was more about trying to get in contention, just putting myself in that position, giving myself a chance. I wouldn’t necessarily say I felt like my best golf could compete with some of the guys out here.

“I know I had conversations with my coaches about that, about what guys did that I didn’t, but certainly after last year I feel like I can compete.”

Fitzpatrick will be playing alongside Cameron Smith and Sam Bennett for the first two rounds of this week’s U.S. Open.

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.”