The First Call 03-03-2023

FIRST THOUGHT

Since turning professional, Jon Rahm has been long on potential. His seven PGA Tour wins between the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open and 2022 Mexico Open that included the 2021 U.S. Open validated those claims. Now, though, Rahm, 28, is entering a new dimension. Since Jan. 8, the Spaniard has already won three times. Thursday, the world No. 1 opened the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a 7-under 65 to hold a two-stroke lead. Will he win for a fourth time already in 2023? No clue, but you get a sense watching him play of late that something special could be brewing in the months to come. Stay tuned.

> Question of the week: With the Arnold Palmer Invitational on tap this week, what is your favorite story regarding The King?

Send replies on this question or other topics and questions you would like to have asked to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For a response to be published, you must include your first and last name, along with city and state of residence. Read last week's responses.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am to become designated event, celebs/amateurs out for the weekend
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> 96 hours show how regular and designated events can work well together
[Rex Hoggard | Golf Channel | Read]

> The PGA Tour has created a hierarchy. Not everyone will like it
[Sean Zak | Golf.com | Read]

> Fore Hire launches "Women Who Want to Work in Golf" program
[PGA.com | Read]

INDUSTRY NEWS

Tour Edge: MyGolfSpy ranks Exotics E723 as most forgiving driver of 2023

E723 driver ranked first in forgiveness with a 97.5 rating — the highest in any category — and fifth in overall accuracy with a 91.5 score

Troon: Wilderness Club Resort announces Best of Montana sweepstakes

One person will win a three-day, two-night trip for two to the Eureka, Montana, resort; sweepstakes is open through March 31

PGA Tour: Foundation, Mastercard continue partnership

Mastercard remains the official payment system of the PGA Tour and will continue to work alongside the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation to honor Arnold Palmer’s legacy

Tall Order: Take to your feet, spring training for golf season

Low-cut socks allow golfers to make the most of their stance and swing; all styles are available in sizes 9-20+ and are suitable for men and women

United States Golf Association: Names past USGA President Mark Newell and USGA Executive Committee member Courtney Myhrum as captains of the men’s and women’s USA Teams, respectively, for the 2023 World Amateur Team Championships. The 33rd men’s championship will be held Oct. 18-21, followed by the 30th women’s championship Oct. 25-28, at Abu Dhabi Golf Club's National Course in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

FootJoy: Introduces the HyperFlex and HyperFlex Carbon golf shoes. The HyperFlex features an OptiFlex outsole design that promotes stability for the golf swing and flexibility for walking comfort. The new HyperFlex Carbon features a molded carbon fiber power plate that delivers Tour-level stability and performance, and offers additional underfoot cushioning with an OrthoLite Impressions FitBed. The HyperFlex retails for $175 (Laced) and $210 (BOA); the HyperFlex Carbon retails for $220 (Laced) and $250 (BOA).

#QOTD

"If you're in trouble, 80 percent of the time there's a way out."

— Arnold Palmer

ICYMI

TFC Inbox: Arnold Palmer's legacy lives in the memories

Munster Women and Girls Senior & Junior Open Championships

With the annual return of the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational, readers share their personal stories; other topics include SI's new rankings and the state of LIV Golf

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished this past week up 6% vs. 2022, driven primarily by warmer, drier weather in the Central and Eastern U.S.

The Great Plains region was the biggest driver of rounds growth, finishing up 146% vs. last year as most of Texas was unplayable in 2022 due to snowy and rainy conditions. California battled heavy snow and rain leading to a 56% decline in rounds vs. 2022 as residents also suffered from over 100,000 power outages.

> Pacing over the next seven days is projected to be down 7% vs. 2022 as heavy rains are projected for much of the Central and Eastern U.S. The Northeast, Central Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions are all pacing down at least 18% vs. 2022 due to the rain.

> Weekday golfers as a percentage of total golf business continues to trend over 60% for the third consecutive week.

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Honda Classic's Ken Kennerly talks the future of the PGA Tour event
Tournament's executive director emeritus joins host Ann Liguori to talk about the PGA Tour stop's past, present and future
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
Perseverance, pivoting and the ability to adapt
Ryan Engle, founder and CEO of Golf+, joins host Colin Weston to share how his love for writing code and playing golf led to the creation of his company's VR gaming platform
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
How Alexa Phung, Ava Estrella earned tickets to Augusta National
The girls qualified for April's Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals and join host Ann Liguori to talk about their experiences and expectations
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Arnold Palmer Invitational
Site: Orlando, Florida.
Course: Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Yardage: 7,466. Par: 72.
Television [ET]: Today, 2-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, noon to 2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2:30-6 p.m. (NBC).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

PGA Tour: Puerto Rico Open
Site: Grande Reserve Golf Club, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
Television [ET]: Today, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 2:30-5 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 2:30-4:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

LPGA Tour: HSBC Women's World Championship
Site: Sentosa Golf Club (Tanjong), Singapore.
Television [ET]: Today-Saturday, 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

PGA Tour Champions: Cologuard Classic
Site: Omni Tucson National, Tucson, Arizona.
Television [ET]: TODAY, 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Saturday, 5-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 4:30-7 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

CALENDAR

MARCH
11-12: New Jersey Golf and Travel Show, Edison, N.J. | Info

> View complete calendar

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.