19th Hole

LPGA blasted over ‘outright offensive’ provisions at Q-School event despite scorching heat

Published

4 years ago

Aug 19, 2022

On Thursday, over 300 players started their arduous run through the first stage of the 2022 LPGA and Epson Tour Q-school.

Related: Report: Draft copy of LIV contract reveals fascinating key details

It’s an incredible number, and whilst spread across three courses – Dinah Shore and Palmer at Mission Hills, and Shadow Ridge at Palm Desert – rounds are sure to take longer than usual, and be boiling hot!

Related: LPGA Commissioner says she is open to talk with LIV Golf

The hopefuls will initially look to complete 54 holes without a score of 88 or higher, all gaining an Epson card, with the top 100 gaining access to Stage II in October.

The enormous field contains seven Epson Tour players that will now have played for six weeks in a row, many admitting that the balance between rest and competition is vital, yet taking no time off to prepare for the desert heat. As Ryan French might say, “That’s grinding.”

The pressure to succeed here is as high as it is for any event, with the reward of a full main tour card in the dreams of many. Therefore, as a player, you would expect the best of treatment from the organizers.

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols revealed on Twitter on Wednesday that they may not be the case!

Beth Ann let her followers know that at Mission Hills this week the temperature is well over 100 degrees, and whilst the players can use carts to get around, there is very little water available on the course.

Stage I of LPGA Q-School is this week at Mission Hills, where it's currently 104 degrees. There are 300+ players in the field.

The good news: Players get to take carts.

The bad news: Hearing there's no water on the course. No snacks.

It's BYOC! Bring your own cooler. Oh my.

— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) August 17, 2022

Originally saying there was ‘no water…no snacks’, she agreed with one respondent that there was some water on the opening holes of each half at both of the Mission Hills courses, although commented:

“If I’m paying $2,500 for a tournament, I don’t think it’s too much to ask for water on the course in coolers like a standard event. Especially when it’s outrageously hot.”

Tweeters were very much in support of the exasperated Nichols, an outspoken and fervent supporter of the women’s game, with one pointing out the affluent area in which the event is set: “Wow that is kind of sad that those that run the event and collect all the entry fee $$ can’t provide drinks. Especially in Rancho Mirage.”

One thought was that Mission Hills may have been responding to the way it lost the Chevron Championship after a 51-year run, backed-up by another stating, “Why doesn’t the LPGA get it? Mission Hills doesn’t want you there!”

The LPGA amended its rules after many years of allowing amateur players to play all stages of Q-school, this year insisting that those that advance to the final, grueling, eight-round stage turn professional.

They will clearly need stamina from the very get-go and Beth’s followers were quick to back her up.

That is unacceptable and embarrassing. Actually it’s outright offensive. $2500 and trying to play in a tournament that can make your career…but, bring your own refreshments. Asinine.

— Diablo Sandwich (@sandwich_diablo) August 18, 2022

Of course, the weather is as hard to read as the outcome of any golf tournament and, yes; the courses have held the event for many years beforehand, but it is hard to believe that the organizers could not have made conditions at least a tad more comfortable.

Thankfully, on day two things were put right.

LPGA Q-School water update: Players had water on the carts today. And a few coolers were added to the course.

Good to hear.

Also, Anais Meyssonnier shot ? 63 ? to take the first-round lead.

— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) August 19, 2022

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.”