Masters short chips Thursday
Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny presents the GWAA's 2024 Player of the Year award to Scottie Scheffler
Scheffler's Tee-Shock
Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny has warned Masters champion Scottie Scheffler that the Irish are coming from him this week.
The Mayo politician (73) is attending the Masters for the next few days, but he also presented Scheffler with his 2025 Player of the Year trophy at the Golf Writers Association of America awards on Wednesday night.
Mr Kenny did the honours as a patron of ISPS HANDA, an organisation that promotes the power of sport to change lives.
"I wished him well but told him Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry were out to get him this year," joked the Castlebar Golf Club stalwart.
He also revealed that he sent good luck messages to Lowry and McIlroy on the eve of yesterday's first round.
Big Three stress importance of media duty
Collin Morikawa drew ferocious criticism for dodging the press after coughing up a three-shot lead on the back nine in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
But Jack Nicklaus believes it's essential that players help the press.
Morikawa didn't explain what happened until his next event and made things worse by saying he "doesn't owe anyone anything."
The pundits took him to task, and Nicklaus agreed with the criticism.
"I think it's our obligation, and actually, it's been a pleasure," Nicklaus said of press duty.
Tom Watson agreed.
"There's a responsibility," Watson said. "I always liked what Jack had to say. He said, you have a job to do, and it's our responsibility to help you with your job. That's the way I feel about it."
Player's new girlfriend
Gary Player is 89 but he's determined to make it to 100 and believes landing a new girlfriend will do him no harm.
The South African lost his wife, Vivienne, in 2021 after 64 years of marriage. But he's since found a new companion in New Yorker Susan Waterfall.
"I've got a young girlfriend," Player said after hitting the honorary opening tee shots alongside Nicklaus and Watson. "I've changed my life. How about that, at 90, finding a girlfriend?
"Tom is not as old as me, but he's also found a new one. I'll tell you what, guys, you or your wife is going to die. One of the spouses are going to die, and it's not the end of life."
Irish Open only getting bigger - Kinnings
The DP World Tour believes the Amgen Irish Open will only grow in stature.
But it's unlikely to become a dual-ranking event with the PGA Tour.
"I'm looking at it you as go towards the Irish Open centenary in the year of the centenary of the Ryder Cup," DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings said at Augusta.
"I can only see that event getting a stronger field, more investment…"
The K Club will host in September and again in 2027, but no venue has yet been chosen for 2026.
"The great thing is that there are so many wonderful options," added Kinnings, who ruled out Adare Manor.
