2013 PGA Tour Golf: Golf Takes a Back Seat To The NFL Draft

Even with most of the nations sports fan’s attention turned to the NFL Draft that started on Thursday evening, there are some folks interested with what is happening in, and around the world of golf. The PGA Tour got underway on Thursday morning in the Big Easy with The Zürich Classic of New Orleans, and the Ladies go back to Texas for their first visit in over twenty years. The North Texas Shootout also got underway at The Las Colinas Country Club on Thursday with a unique format.

Willie and Jase Robertson from Duck Dynasty showed up at the  ProAm on Wednesday ready to play golf with their buddy, 2011 Zürich Classic champion Bubba Watson. The weather didn’t cooperate, so they spent the afternoon entertaining reporters and fans alike on the back porch of the clubhouse. They all teamed up with the 2012 defending champion at TPC Louisiana to give everyone Dufnering Lessons. [ref  Bubba Watson Needs To Get Back To Work Playing Golf ].

Fourteen year old Chinese star, Tianlang Guan makes his second PGA start in New Orleans after receiving a sponsor’s exemption. The youngster made history at The Masters by being the youngest to play at Augusta, and the youngest to ever make the 36 hole cut. Guan has stated he will probably return home after The Zürich Classic, but he will be qualifying for the US Open at Merion in June. If his past performance is any indication, we will more than likely be seeing him again soon. [ Ref  Tianlang Guan Set To Tee it up in The Big Easy ].

Tiger Woods released his schedule this week, and indicated he would not be playing in The Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow next week, but would be teeing it up at the Congressional in the Nations Capital. He is also scheduled to be at The Players Championship when it gets underway in two weeks at Ponte Vedre Beach.

The LPGA kicks off the Innagural North Texas Shootout this weekend in The Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, bringing with it, a new format. The ladies will have to survive a second cut after the 54th hole. Typically, there is only one cut after 36 holes, but organizers decided to add another layer of excitement. Where else would they do something like this but in Texas. [ref  North Texas Shootout ].

The unique format in this LPGA event could have a direct effect on The Rolex LPGA World Rankings. With players having to survive the second cut at the end of play on Saturday evening, it puts into play, an already close race to be the world’s number one lady golfer. South Korean, Inbee Park was elevated to the number one position during the off week for the Masters after her dominating performance at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. [ref  Battle Continues for Top Rolex Spot in Texas ].

The number two player in the world, and Texas native, Stacy Lewis lost her number one ranking after being in the spot for four weeks earlier in the season. She hasn’t played particularly well since the tour’s first major at Ranch Mirage, and will need a good finish in Texas to hold off, former number one, Yani Tseng, and Ya Neon Choi for that second spot. Tseng is playing well this week, and Lewis will need to make that second cut if she plans to survive.

The European Tour is in Seoul South Korea this week for The Ballentine’s Championship. Dustin, and Zack Johnson have decided to forego a trip to Korea due to the unrest in that part of the world. They are having problems with the weather, and will need to finish the second round on Saturday morning before the cut is made, and the third round can begin.  [ref  The Ballentine’s Will get underway Without The Johnsons ].

Last, but not least, to get into the spirit of the NFL Draft , Back9Networks made a few draft picks of their own. I found the most interesting to be 2013 Masters champ, Adam Scott to the New York Jets. It’s an interesting read that includes the possibility of Tiger Woods getting a call from Tom Coughlin. [ ref 2013 NFL Draft ].

Follow me on Twitter @Spin_47