Augusta National Chief Faces Turmoil: Golf's Divide Deepens Over LIV-PCA Clash

On Wednesday at Augusta National Golf Club, the chairman typically holds his press conference.

The present chairperson, Fred S. Ridley, shared multiple pieces of information during his 40-minute appearance before the press.

The chairman began by discussing the considerable effort required to restore the course to playable condition following the effects of Hurricane Helene in September.

He then provided an update on the Players Services Project. According to him, phase one has been completed; this involved constructing the underground parking facility for the players. As for phase two, which entails a three-story modern structure, it remains on track as planned.

He similarly tackled issues concerning the sport of golf, which remains under his observation. The primary concerns are the lengthening distances and the slowing pace of play.

I'm heartened that the PGA Tour is taking steps and testing out some timing protocols that could potentially be more stringent than what we've witnessed before," Ridley stated. "Golf is a distinctive sport as it compels us to exhibit consideration alongside competitiveness, honoring others' time—including crucially, the supporters of the game—is an essential formality.

He was questioned regarding what could be considered the most urgent matter in golf today: The present status of the merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

I will keep emphasizing this point and urge the leaders of the participating organizations to collaborate in finding a resolution," Ridley stated. "However, I believe we all concur that gathering the top talents in the sport four times annually is insufficient.

During the press conference, Chairman Ridley mentioned that this week marks the 50th anniversary since the first African American participated in the Masters tournament. On April 10, 1975, Lee Elder was the first Black professional golfer to compete in the Masters. That year, Jack Nicklaus emerged as the winner of the event.

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악천후도 두려지지 않는 하먼… 마스터스 전 우승 예감

브라이언 하먼(38·미국)은 2년 전 메이저 대회 디오픈 마지막 날 쉴 새 없이 비가 쏟아지는 가운데 6타 차 승리를 거머쥐었다. 170cm 작은 체격에 드라이브샷 비거리도 290.7야드(168위)에 불과하지만 위기를 벗어나는 쇼트 게임 능력이 경지에 이르렀다는 평을 듣는다. “포기하지 않으면 기회는 오게 돼 있다”는 신조를 갖고 있다.

하먼이 강풍과 추위 속에 열린 미국프로골프(PGA) 투어 발레로 텍사스 오픈(총상금 950만달러)에서 다시 우승컵을 들어 올리며 통산 4승째를 올렸다.

하먼은 7일(한국 시각) 미국 텍사스주 샌안토니오 TPC 샌안토니오(파72·7438야드)에서 열린 대회 최종 4라운드에서 버디 3개, 보기 4개, 더블보기 1개로 3오버파 75타를 기록했다. 최종 합계는 9언더파 279타. 2위 라이언 제러드(6언더파·미국)를 3타 차로 제치고 정상에 올랐다. 우승 상금은 171만달러(약 25억원). 하먼은 2023년 7월 디오픈 우승으로 세계 랭킹 8위까지 올랐지만 지난 2년간 이렇다 할 성적을 내지 못해 지난주 49위까지 떨어졌다. 이번 우승으로 22위로 반등했다. 하먼은 “악천후 속에서도 우승을 지켜낸 게 자랑스럽다”고 했다.

이날 4라운드 출전 선수 평균 스코어는 74.8타였다. 토미 플리트우드(잉글랜드)를 포함해 네 명은 80타를 넘겼다. 3타 차 선두로 최종 라운드를 나선 하먼도 3타를 잃었지만 우승 트로피를 손에 넣기엔 부족하지 않았다.

하먼은 6번 홀(파4) 보기에 이어 9번 홀(파4) 티샷 실수로 더블보기를 하며 1타 차이까지 추격당했다. 하지만 선두를 한 번도 내주지 않는 끈질긴 경기 운영 능력을 보였다. 후반 들어 12번 홀(파4)과 14번 홀(파5)에서 천금 같은 버디를 잡아, 15·16번 홀에서 연속 보기를 하고도 승리를 지켰다. 하먼을 추격하던 앤드루 노백(미국)은 마지막 두 홀을 남기고 2타 차까지 따라붙었지만 17·18번 홀에서 연속 보기로 무너졌다. 이날 4타를 잃은 노백은 매버릭 맥닐리(미국)와 공동 3위(5언더파)로 내려앉았다.

이날 4타를 줄이며 공동 5위(4언더파)에 오른 패트릭 피시번(미국)은 17번 홀에서 무려 32m 이글 퍼트에 성공했다. 2008년 이후 PGA 투어에서 가장 긴 퍼트 성공 기록이다.

재미 교포 김찬이 공동 5위에 올랐다. 한국 선수는 김시우와 김주형이 출전했지만 2라운드 컷 탈락했다. 오는 10일부터 미국 조지아주 오거스타 내셔널에서는 올해 첫 메이저 대회 마스터스가 열린다.

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Trump Calls Victory at His Own Golf Course a "Great Honor"

President Donald Trump On Sunday, he took to Truth Social, his own social media platform, to declare his most recent championship triumph at one of his golf courses. He described the win as a “great honor” and implied that this might be his final victory.

submitted an online inquiry through the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach for comments on Sunday afternoon.

Why It Matters

Golf holds considerable importance in Trump’s life, encompassing his role as an athlete and entrepreneur. He has made substantial investments in this domain, possessing multiple golf courses across different countries and emerging victorious in various competitions.

In his initial presidential term, Trump played golf a minimum of 142 times, as reported. Forbes These excursions frequently entailed substantial costs since presidential golfing trips necessitate the use of Air Force One for travel, along with comprehensive U.S. Secret Service protection and considerable security disturbances locally. Multiple critics have voiced worries over the expenditures associated with Trump’s pastime.

Trump formerly critiqued ex-President Barack Obama For playing too much golf during his tenure and assuring backers back in 2016, “I’m going to be working for you. I won’t have time to play golf.”

What To Know

Trump announced Sunday that he "just won the Golf Club Championship, probably my last, at Trump International Golf Club, in Palm Beach County, Florida." He called the victory "such a great honor" and thanked the staff and participants in his Truth Social post.

The 78-year-old mentioned that this triumph is likely "my final one."

The Men's Club Championship event took place on Sunday. Previously, Trump had claimed wins in comparable tournaments during 2023 and 2024, sharing news of these triumphs on Truth Social when they occurred.

In 2023, he stated that his win acts like a rigorous physical examination. He emphasized that you require both strength and endurance to triumph, adding that he possesses these qualities—qualities that many others lack. Additionally, he pointed out that governing requires just as much strength and resilience as winning did.

Since being inaugurated on January 20, Trump has made at least six trips to Florida. The Guardian it was reported that every time Trump travels from the White House to Palm Beach, it costs U.S. taxpayers roughly $1 million.

A recent HuffPost analysis revealed that as of March 8, Trump's golfing trips to Florida during his presidency have cost taxpayers a sum of $18 million.

In his initial term starting in 2017, he dedicated over half of the first seven weekend breaks during his presidency to playing golf in Florida. According to an evaluation conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), his first four visits to Mar-a-Lago amounted to approximately $13.6 million overall, which averages out to about $3.4 million for each visit, as stated in a report released in 2019.

worries about the expense of his golf activities arise as the Trump administration pushes for substantial reductions in the federal workforce with the aim of decreasing governmental size and expenditure via the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

What People Are Saying

Ed Krassenstein, who has 1 million followers on X, previously known as Twitter, and is known for his anti-Trump stance, penned a post on Saturday stating: Trump's motorcade has just reached the Palm Beach Golf Club! His visit this weekend will cost taxpayers somewhere from $3 to $4 million. DOGE believes efforts should be made to reduce such expenses. It could significantly enhance governmental efficiency.

X account "Republicans against Trump" posted an alleged video of Trump golfing, with the ball going in the entirely wrong direction and wrote: What observations can you make about this video of Trump playing golf?

What Happens Next?

The celebration of the awards dinner will take place tonight at the Trump International Golf Club.

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