19th Hole

Justin Thomas calls out golf website for this clickbait headline

Published

4 years ago

Apr 18, 2022

Morgan Hoffmann returned to competitive action this week at the RBC Heritage, two-and-a-half years after his last appearance at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children Open, and the golf world was more than interested to see how he got on.

Related: Justin Thomas officially signs new apparel deal

Diagnosed with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy at the end of 2017, the 32-year-old has been living in Costa Rica since his departure from the PGA Tour, searching and using ‘alternative’ methods to control the condition, now on his way to somehow controlling what is usually a debilitating illness.

Related: The ‘harsh’ words Tiger gave Justin Thomas that made him a better player

Now on his 16th of 18 medical exemptions granted by the tour, Hoffmann knows he needs to do something good, and something soon to keep his card, and very few could have envisaged such an encouraging opening round: a level-par 71.

His playing partners were always going to be asked, and when reporters asked Harold Varner III for his opinion on Hoffman’s return and first 18 holes, he commented honestly:

“He’s still good at golf. It’s like riding a bike. Obviously it’s going to take a while to get the rust off, but it’s just good to see him,” he said.

“The last time I saw him was actually here, probably three years ago here.”

“We played together, and he wanted to go fly and watch the Canes play and then come back and play a round. I’m like, no, I’m good man.”

Had Varner seen anything different in Hoffmann’s game?

“I did not, but I’m not a very aware person, never have been. I’m out there to beat Morgan.”

“I don’t really care — I get that he’s been through a lot, but everyone on this planet’s going to go through something, and that’s his battle.”

“My battle may come down the road later.”

“When you’re on the golf course, it’s time to compete. I want to win. I don’t know. That’s kind of messed up, but it is what it is.”

Take that as you see fit, but it seemed certainly more of an insistence that he was here to play his own game and win, rather than a slur on his returning playing partner.

One golf magazine, Golfweek, took the chance to make a headline from it, though, making the play more that Varner didn’t care about Hoffmann’s long-term issues, titling a piece “Harold Varner III on Morgan Hoffman’s return: “I don’t really care…that’s his battle”‘

However, Justin Thomas, never a shrinking violet on social media, was one of the first to pick up on the headline:

Nice headline here… really??? ?????

— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) April 15, 2022

The headline was removed, and whilst much of the golf world was arguing about the worth of the so-called ‘clickbait,’ Varner was making more headlines.

The 31-year-old, winner of the Saudi International in February, followed his first round 67 with a bizarre second 18.

At the sixth hole, he was embroiled in a row whether a spectator had moved his ball from in bounds to out of bounds, ultimately costing him a double-bogey six, a contribution to an angry round of 72 containing five birdies, two bogeys and a pair of doubles.

On Saturday, Varner flew through the field to lead after 54 holes, his tournament best of 63 comprising eight birdies and 10 pars, before he fell one short of the deciding play-off last night, his final 36-foot putt just sliding by the edge of the 18th hole.

How much each player won at the 2026 Masters

Published

2 months ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Rory McIlroy made it two wins in as many years at Augusta National, seeing off the challengers on a dramatic Sunday to slip on the green jacket once again. The victory earned Rory a whopping payday of $4.5 million, with Scottie Scheffler his closest challenger earning $2.43 million for his sole runner-up finish.

With a total prize purse of $22.5 million up for grabs, here’s a look at how much each player won at the 2026 Masters tournament.

For players that did not make the cut, they still earned $25k for their efforts at the year’s opening major.

1: Rory McIlroy, $4.5 million
2: Scottie Scheffler, $2.43 million
T3: Tyrrell Hatton, $1.08 million
T3: Russell Henley, $1.08 million
T3: Justin Rose, $1.08 million
T3: Cameron Young, $1.08 million
T7: Collin Morikawa, $725,625
T7: Sam Burns, $725,625
T9: Xander Schauffele, $630,00
T9: Max Homa, $630,00
11: Jake Knapp, $562,500
T12: Jordan Spieth, $427,500
T12: Brooks Koepka, $427,500
T12: Hideki Matsuyama, $427,500
T12: Patrick Reed, $427,500
T12: Patrick Cantlay, $427,500
T12: Jason Day, $427,500
T18: Viktor Hovland, $315,000
T18: Maverick McNealy, $315,000
T18: Matt Fitzpatrick, $315,000
T21: Keegan Bradley, $252,000
T21: Ludvig Aberg, $252,000
T21: Wyndham Clark, $252,000
T24: Matt McCarty, $182,083
T24: Adam Scott, $182,083
T24: Sam Stevens, $182,083
T24: Chris Gotterup, $182,083
T24: Michael Brennan, $182,083
T24: Brian Campbell, $182,083
T30: Alex Noren, $146,250
T30: Harris English, $146,250
T30: Shane Lowry, $146,250
T33: Gary Woodland, $121,500
T33: Dustin Johnson, $121,500
T33: Brian Harman, $121,500
T33: Tommy Fleetwood, $121,500
T33: Ben Griffin, $121,500
T38: Jon Rahm, $105,750
T38: Ryan Gerard, $101,250
T38: Haotong Li, $96,750
T41: Justin Thomas, $92,250
T41: Sepp Straka, $87,750
T41: Jacob Bridgeman, $83,250
T41: Kristoffer Reitan, $78,750
T41: Nick Taylor, $74,250
46: Sungjae Im, $69,750
47: Si Woo Kim, $65,250
48: Aaron Rai, $61,650
T49: Corey Conners, $57,600
T49: Marco Penge, $57,600
51: Kurt Kitayama, $55,250
52: Sergio Garcia, $54,000
53: Rasmus Hojgaard, $52,650
54: Charl Schwartzel, $51,300

19th Hole

CBS’s Sunday Masters coverage slammed by golf fans

Published

2 months ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

While Sunday was a dramatic day at the Masters, many golf fans were left feeling frustrated by the CBS final round coverage.

There were plenty of moments that golf fans took to social media to air their frustrations on Sunday over, including a lack of shots being shown throughout the day, being behind the live action, confusion over the approach shots of the final group on 18, and providing an angle for the winning putt where the cup couldn’t be seen.

Here’s a look at some of the criticisms that were directed at the CBS coverage throughout the day on X:

This has been a brutal broadcast for CBS. When the folks from Augusta sit down with them this year, you can bet they’ll talk about this 15 seconds where we have no idea where Rory’s ball went, and Dottie moans. #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/ak3mkpIN7V

— Ryan (@PossiblyRy) April 12, 2026

It’s rare criticism coming in for CBS, who are usually heavily praised for their Masters coverage each year.

19th Hole

The surprise club Tommy Fleetwood says is key to his Masters chances

Published

2 months ago

Apr 7, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Tommy Fleetwood goes in search for the first major victory of his career again this week, with the Englishman proving to be a popular pick at Augusta National.

Fleetwood’s best showing at Augusta came back in 2024 where he finished T3, and while speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, the 35-year-old emphasized the importance of his 9-wood in his pursuit of the green jacket.

Speaking on Tuesday to media, Fleetwood said:

“It’s a great 9-wood golf course. I think it’s always been — I can’t remember when I first put like a 9-wood in or a high lofted club, but it’s a perfect like 9-wood golf course. I’ve had that in the bag for a few years.”

The Englishman continued, revealing that his strategy for the week won’t just be to hit driver off the tee as much as possible:

“Yeah, it’s funny really because I know Augusta is probably associated with being fairly forgiving off the tee in a way, so you think you can whale around driver a little bit. But I don’t necessarily think that’s always the play for me. I think there’s holes that set up really well where I can draw it with the mini driver if I’m feeling less comfortable with the driver and things like that.”

That strategy he believes will make his TaylorMade Qi10 9-wood extra critical this week in Georgia:

“The biggest thing is the 9-wood for me. If I can put myself in position on the par-5s or the 4th long par-3, like it — for me, I can’t really hit that high 4-iron, so 9-wood helps me a lot.”