Vol. 32, No. 44 R O C H E S T E R Monday, December 7, 2020 Golf Has Surged in Hovland Birdies the Last Hole 2020, but Nothing To Win Mayakoba Classic PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico Beats the ‘Tiger Effect’ (AP) — Viktor Hovland says his nerves are a jangled mess when he gets into contention. It sure didn’t look that way at the May- akoba Golf Classic, where he captured another PGA Tour title with another big putt at the end. Hovland saved par with a splendid 40-yard save from a waste area on the 16th hole, and then he delivered the win- ner with a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole to beat Aaron Wise and win for the second time this year. Viktor Hovland holds up the trophy after winning the Mayakoba Golf Hovland — PAGE 5 Classic in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (Robert Fedez/Associated Press) BY JASON LUSK and trends, estimate in a report The number of rounds of golf released this week that 2020 played late in 2020 have seen will end with about a 12-percent enormous surges versus 2019 as increase in rounds played in the 43-Year-Old Angela Stanford Wins all kinds of golfers — from novic- United States over 2019’s total es to past enthusiasts reentering round played. That equates to Her Home LPGA Tour Event the sport — have sought escape 50 million more rounds played from the coronavirus pandemic. in 2020, the second-highest in- THE COLONY, Texas (AP) — But that doesn’t mean 2020 will crease of any year reported. Angela Stanford won her home set the growth record. The highest? That would be LPGA Tour event in front of her Turns out, even this year’s 1997, when Woods grabbed parents, closing with a 4-under flood of golfers can’t beat Tiger international fame with his re- 67 for a two-stroke victory Sun- Woods in his youth. cord-breaking Masters title at the day in the Volunteers of America The National Golf Foundation age of 21. Classic. and Golf Datatech, both industry The U.S. saw a jump in rounds “I just haven’t had many observers tracking rounds played Tiger Effect — PAGE 3 chances to win in front of them. So to finally do it, it’s so cool,” Stanford said. “I couldn’t even look over at my mom coming up Season of Surprises 18 because I was starting to get Stanford — PAGE 5 As Two Tours Unite, Potential Global Schedule Intriguing for World’s Best BY REX HOGGARD Although there remains more questions than answers, last Fri- day’s announcement that the PGA Tour and European Tour have Dustin Johnson is the first reigning FedExCup No. 1 to enter the break formed a “strategic alliance” has leading the standings since the wraparound season started. (Patrick Smith/ created plenty of talking points — Getty Images) if not actual opportunities — at the moment. BY CAMERON MORFIT The fall also provided a lot of While the agreement allows Viktor Hovland’s 12-foot bird- answers. for “further collaboration on ie putt to win the Mayakoba Golf We know whose biohack- scheduling,” there were no spe- Classic presented by UNIFIN, ing has worked. (Take a bow, cifics given, and even those who the 12th and final event of the Bryson DeChambeau.) should have an idea of where fall, moved him up to third in We know who won’t stop the alliance is heading were light the FedExCup and put a bow on knocking on the door. (Make on details. a wildly entertaining fall season. Surprises — PAGE 9 Tours Unite — PAGE 3 Our 1656 th GolfWeekRochester.com Consecutive Issue Page 2 • Rochester GOLF WEEK • Monday, December 7, 2020 Mulligans News, Notes, Quotes & Anecdotes from the Local Golfing Community Pittsford’s Ford to Get Primetime Spot in NB3 Junior Golf National Championship Broadcast Wednesday When the inaugural Notah Qualifier held at Turning Stone the 3-day stroke play Junior Begay III Junior Golf National Resort in September, competed Golf National Championship, Championship was held last against a field of 36 other top the broadcast will also feature month in Louisiana, Pittsford junior girls in the Girls, 14-to- other highlights from the event, Sutherland High School soph- 18-year-old division when the including a long-drive contest, in omore Jayden Ford was there National Championship was which Ford also took part. representing all of Western New held in early November at the • • • York. Koasati Pines Resort in Kinder, On Wednesday, Ford will get Louisiana. Local USGA prime time coverage from that The Championship was re- GHIN Score appearance when highlights corded but has never been from the NB3 Junior Champi- broadcast. It is scheduled to air Posting Now onship are broadcast nationally for the first time this Wednesday, Over for 2020 for the first time. December 9, from 7 to 9 pm on If you are a USGA GHIN Ford, who qualified for the The Golf Channel. Handicap user and a member Championship in a regional In addition to the action from of the Rochester District Golf Association, the active score posting season for the 2020 season is now over. The RDGA score posting season officially concluded on October 31. For members of RDGA Mem- NATIONAL COVERAGE: Jayden Ford of Pittsford took part in the long ber Clubs in the area, that means drive contest during last month’s Notah Begay III Junior Golf National that any scores made in the Championship in Louisiana, from which this still was taken. The high- lights of that Championship will be shown on national TV this week. Rochester area between now (Photo: NB3 JGNC) and April 15, 2021 cannot be posted for handicap purposes. between November 1 and April Local score posting for the However, it is important to note 15 must still post those scores. 2021 season at all RDGA Mem- that RDGA members who play This would include warm-weath- ber Clubs will begin on Thurs- in active areas outside the RDGA er areas such as Florida. day, April 15. x Howard Hanna • 2x5 • 061520 • JT Nine Comfortable, High-Performing Golf Expositor-Ledger Newspapers Rochester Golf Week • The Jewish LedgerShoes We Recommend for the Holidays 2535 Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road, Rochester, NY 14623 BY JOSH BERHOW (585) 427-2468 • FAX (585) 427-8521 Avid golfers are always in We want YOUR AD to be perfect…need of a good pair of golf IMPORTANT… shoes. Your ad will run as it appears here unless we hear from you immediately. Please review this ad carefully. 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