Zach Johnson Mum On Mickelson’s Ryder Cup Role

Worst kept secret in the world of golf was confirmed this week when the PGA of America did indeed announce that likeable Zach Johnson will captain the 2023 Ryder Cup team that takes on Europe at the Marco Simone course outside Rome.

The Associated Press broke the news last week before the PGA of America could blink.

Johnson is more than qualified.  He is one of golf’s greatest over-achievers — he owns two majors and played on five Ryder Cup teams.  Given his size, his lack of length, well, Zach is your basic, humble, loveable underdog who would often say:  “I’m just Zach Johnson from Iowa.”

He said all the right things at his press conference — admitted to the huge honor, something he only could dream of, flattered beyond belief.

One of the good parts is that he’s still competitive to a degree and termed himself “somewhat relevant” on today’s PGA Tour.  He knows all the older players and the younger guys and has a few stints as a Vice Captain (aka cart driver).

Most interesting part of his presser came when someone threw a fastball at him — wondering what Phil Mickelson’s role might be on that 2023 team or captain’s staff.

“I’m good friends with Phil on and off the course — and I’m just gonna leave it at that,” Johnson said quickly, without hesitation — performing a pure Iowa tap dance around a very controversial issue.

There were whispers that Mickelson could have been in line instead of Johnson but given Mickelson’s “toxic” condition in the world of golf — Johnson was a safe and popular choice by the powers that be at the PGA of America — which oversees the American side of the Ryder Cup.

Phil’s Full Of It — Tiger Woods Wins PGA Tour’s PIP:

Last December Phil Mickelson put on social media that he won the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program and the top money that went with it.

Liar!

The word’s finally out and it was indeed the Tour’s Major Needle Mover — Tiger Woods — who took first place — yet another blow to Lefty, whose downward spiral continues.

Here’s how the list shook out and the distribution from the $40 million pot:

Tiger Woods ($8m), Phil Mickelson ($6m) Rory McIlroy ($3.5m), Jordan Spieth ($3.5m), Bryson DeChambeau ($3.5m), Justin Thomas ($3.5m), Dustin Johnson ($3m), Brooks Koepka ($3m), Jon Rahm ($3m) and Bubba Watson ($3m)

Lydia Ko, Jin Young Ko Head HSBC Field:

The LPGA Tour is back in action on the other side of the world — Singapore — for the HSBC Women’s World Championship.

Heading the field is world No. 1 Jin Young Ko, back in action after rehabbing a wrist injury and No. 3 Lydia Ko, who has regained the form that took her to the No. 1 ranking in the world.

“I’ve been putting myself in contention a lot and I think when you start doing that more often, you just get a little bit more confidence,” said Ko. “Week in, week out, the technique and skill things doesn’t change that much. But when you get in a good rhythm of things, I think sometimes some putts that might have lipped-out, lips-in.

“For me when I won Gainbridge, I hit a shot that I think most of the time it would have gone out of bounds, but I got a really lucky kick off the tree and then I was in bounds and I was able to save par from there. Kind of things start falling your way and I’ve kind of been able to feed off that kind of momentum, just trying to keep it super simple and just being confident and having fun out there.”

Ko is on the move after dropping as low as 50th in the rankings two years ago.  She’s obviously a favorite at the Sentosa Golf Club.

“I hope my chances are good. I mean, it would be a pretty bad start if I went into the week thinking my chances were not so good,” said Ko.  “But in saying that, you know, we have World No. 1 Jin Young here playing this week. I know it’s also Hyo Joo, the defending champion’s first week in for this season. Inbee is a multiple-time winner here. So we have a lot of big names here. This is another great field this week. So it’s going to be difficult but I’ve just got to focus on my game and play the best score I can.”

Careless Workers The Cause Of Oakland Hills Fire?:

There was some construction work going on at the Oakland Hills clubhouse at the time of the devastating fire that basically destroyed the historic structure.

Fire investigators found space heaters and a propane tank near a construction project for the clubhouse.

The investigation is still ongoing.