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February 28, 2020 - 5:00 am EST 5 years ago

The Pin Sheet – February 28, 2020

Chris Chaney Chris Chaney
The Pin Sheet – February 28, 2020

Welcome to The Pin Sheet, a quick guide for your day in golf that pairs beautifully with our Clubhouse Newsletter.

Between this daily aggregation and the Newsletter, you’ll find everything you need to know that’s going on in the world of golf to be the most well-informed player in your foursome.

Without further ado, now on the tee…


Today’s Clubhouse Newsletter

Fan Follows Up Finau Ballad With Ode To Kim

English golf fan Sam Harrop was determined to not be a one-hit-wonder. 

After receiving acclaim for his Tony Finau-inspired rendition of REO Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” Harrop released his second “single” on Thursday, an ode to fan-favorite Anthony Kim.

With a few cracks mixed in about Robert Allenby and Chesson Hadley, Harrop raised the bar once again, receiving accolades from the professional ranks from folks such as Eddie Pepperell and Peter Jacobsen. 

Alas, still no word from Anthony Kim.

Lindberg MCs At New Zealand Open

For the first time in the 101-year history of the event, a woman teed it up in the New Zealand Open this week. Pernilla Lindberg, the Swedish LPGA Tour major champion, accepted a sponsor exemption for the event, and despite missing the cut, accomplished her goal of finishing ahead of at least one man.

“We are delighted to have Pernilla join us,” New Zealand Open Chairman John Hart said. “It is a unique occasion for New Zealand Golf. She and her husband got married here and planned to come back for a first-year anniversary holiday and found out the tournament was on at the same time.

“Pernilla is here under a sponsor invitation spot and is here to have some fun and has already added so much to our tournament.”

The winner of the 2018 ANA Inspiration, Lindberg shot rounds of 9-over par 80 and 1-over par 73 to finish tied for 147th out of 156-person field. 

Former Tour Caddie Could Win Kentucky Derby

Second acts are never a sure thing, but former PGA and LPGA Tour caddie Greg “Piddler” Martin is in line for quite a successful one if Tiz The Law, the early favorite to win the Kentucky Derby, comes to fruition. 

In a story for The Caddie Network, Craig Dolch details Piddler’s time on the PGA Tour, most notably on the bags of Dan Forsman and Mark Calcavecchia, and his wife Kathleen’s leap of faith into horse racing. Having owned stakes in Commanding Curve, the runner-up in the 2014 Kentucky Derby as a 37-1 long shot, the Race for the Roses won’t be Piddler’s first rodeo.

“(Golf writer) Jeff Rude once asked me, would I rather win the Kentucky Derby or the Masters?” Piddler said. “At the time, I told him if it was Dan Forsman, I’d probably rather win the Masters.

“Now, I’d rather win the Kentucky Derby.”

Sponsor Exemptions Running Amok At Honda

It can’t be considered an anomaly because, you know, these guys are good, but two sponsor exemptions — Tom Lewis and Harris English — are leading the Honda Classic after the first round, and a third, Lee Westwood, is only a shot back. 

“I played the Monday pro-am, did a clinic on Tuesday, so I’ve felt like I’ve really been a part of the tournament this week, and it’s been awesome,” English told PGATour.com. “I feel really good about my round today. I didn’t hit it my best, but I knew it was going to be one of those rounds you’re going to have to grind it out. It’s windy out there, you’re going to have a lot of cross-winds, and it played really tough. My short game was on point, and I made some really good putts.”

Ironically, Westwood was one of only four sponsor exemptions to ever have won on the PGA Tour, and his laid-back approach has him in a good position after 18 holes.

“I think when you’re younger, you put a bit more pressure on yourself,” Westwood told GolfChannel.com. “You kind of forget that you’re playing a sport and playing golf, and it’s very unpredictable. You treat it too seriously, almost. I’m nearly 47, just out there having fun.”

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