HONOLULU — Gary Woodland enjoyed a short getaway with his wife Gabby on the Big Island prior to heading to Oahu for the Sony Open. That 45-minute flight turned out to be quite a memorable experience.
They were seated in the second row on their Hawaiian Airlines flight, while the last passengers to enter were the Obamas — former President Barack Obama, along with his wife and two daughters. “That surprised me,” said Woodland, noting his astonishment at seeing Obama on a commercial flight.
Woodland found it odd when they were instructed to stow their luggage towards the back of the plane rather than in first class. Shortly after, he noticed several federal agents boarding. “I had an inkling,” he recalled, noting that he was aware Obama was in town for the same golfing event. “I had never seen that before in first class.”
The flight, he said, was full, but the Obamas were the last ones on and “I don’t even think people knew he was on the plane.” It was a unique experience for Woodland. “There was no chatter. I would have loved to strike up a conversation but didn’t want to intrude. Just observing the entire operation — it was fascinating,” he remarked.
Although it’s unclear if Obama recognized Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open champion did acknowledge him as he exited. “I said, ‘Thank you for your service,’ as I left the plane. I’m not certain if he recognized me, but I know he is a huge sports enthusiast. He gave me a thumbs-up as I departed.”
In golf news, the inaugural TMRW Golf League season has already sparked discussions regarding potential innovations for the PGA Tour, particularly relating to the concept of a shot clock. Matt Fitzpatrick and Rickie Fowler both agreed on this after their team clinched the first match. “That was my favorite part of TGL,” Webb Simpson noted enthusiastically.
The idea appears viable enough that it may soon be considered by the PGA Tour as part of Commissioner Jay Monahan’s review of pace of play. The Shot Clock Masters introduced this element in 2018 during a European tour event, but it faced challenges such as players forgetting about the time limit amidst the tournament’s complexities.
Nick Taylor, the Sony Open winner, commented on the practicality of implementing such regulations, acknowledging that while some adjustments would be necessary, it could effectively enhance the game’s pace. “Certain situations, like a playoff or a critical putt, might complicate things,” he added, but agreed it would undoubtedly speed up gameplay.
The TGL format benefits from its high-tech indoor setup, featuring significant lighting and a shot clock structure. Simpson proposed using a simple traffic light system — green, yellow, and red — to help players and spectators manage their understanding of the timing without creating too much chaos.
As for Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, he finished tied for sixth at the Sony Open after a slower start in the final round, which positioned him three strokes short of reaching a playoff. He currently ranks eleventh in the world, making him the sixth-best American golfer. While questions swirl about his potential Ryder Cup selection, Bradley’s focus remains on honing his overall game.
“I’m on a mission to excel as a player, to be among the best globally,” he asserted. He acknowledged not having won a major title since his rookie year in 2011, with ambitions to change that narrative. “It’s vital for my career to keep improving, and I believe I’m in the prime of my performance,” he stated firmly.
On a related note, Jesper Svensson from Sweden made a notable first impression at the Sony Open, finishing the back nine in 30 strokes and tying for tenth. Reflecting on his journey, Svensson shared his disbelief at his rapid ascent to the PGA Tour after previously lacking a formal category on the Challenge Tour two years ago.
After losing his European tour card in 2022, Svensson’s path involved playing in the Nordic Golf League until he seized an exemption and won in the Netherlands, which led to his European tour card and a subsequent victory at the Singapore Classic. The only other European tour athlete at the Sony Open, Rikuya Hoshino, did not make the cut.
In other updates, the PGA Tour is also watching developments regarding Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland, who may be considering a switch to LIV Golf. If he does, this could affect the availability of a card for Jordan Smith, who narrowly missed out.
During the Sony Open, Lucas Glover encountered an unusual experience when he found a dead baby sea turtle near his ball in a bunker. Remarkably unfazed, he played the shot without disturbing the creature and humorously contemplated its potential as a good luck charm. Meanwhile, Florida State junior Luke Clanton continues to impress with two runner-up finishes amid as many missed cuts in his limited appearances on the PGA Tour.
In terms of statistics, Nico Echavarria of Colombia has shown impressive growth, soaring from No. 292 in the world rankings to No. 41 after a series of successful outings, including a victory at the Zozo Championship.
In a lighter moment, Zach Johnson quipped about how “usually when I play early, everyone is even,” referencing his recent leaderboard standing at two shots off the lead ahead of the weekend’s competition in Hawaii.
