Bob Hope Classic | Wei Under Par

Jan

21

2012

Saturday at the Humana Challenge: Heavy Winds Wreak Havoc, Cut Prez’ Round Short

By Stephanie Wei under PGA Tour

Scoreboard knocked down next to 18 at Palmer Private

For nine-and-a-half holes, President Bill Clinton shook hands, posed for pictures, signed autographs, kissed babies, etc. He also played some golf with Greg Norman, Scott McCarron and Humana CEO Mike McCallister at PGA West’s Palmer Private course.

While walking from eight green to nine tee, Clinton stopped to oblige some fans who wanted autographs. He looked around and called to one of his secret service agents and said, “Help me…” Not that he didn’t want to sign (he did for a few minutes), but because he’d be there until the sunset if someone didn’t intervene at some point. The fans all thanked him for supporting and reviving the tournament — which he sure has achieved. (I was here last year and the energy and buzz are like 20 times greater this time around, which is awesome.)

2 Comments

#2012 Humana Challenge, #Bob Hope Classic, #La Quinta, #Lee Janzen, #Mark Wilson, #Nicklaus Private, #Palmer Private, #PGA West, #President Bill Clinton, #Robert Garrigus, #Steve Elkington

Jan

6

2012

Clinton Still the Man: Norman and Phil to Play Humana Challenge (AKA Bob Hope)

By Stephanie Wei under PGA Tour

Old pals Norman and Clinton to reunite in the desert

There has never been a question that President Bill Clinton’s involvement would have tremendous impact on the PGA Tour’s Humana Challenge (formerly known as the Bob Hope Classic). It was announced Friday that International Greg Norman and Phil Mickelson will play in the event held January 16-22 in La Quinta, California. (Which makes me even more excited I’m covering the tournament, but I’m really going for Clinton. Obviously!) Both stars attribute their interest to their respect for Clinton and his philanthropic efforts.

6 Comments

#Bob Hope Classic, #Greg Norman, #Humana Challenge, #Phil Mickelson, #President Bill Clinton

Aug

15

2011

All Hail the Bob Hope Lady’s Prophecy! (*Update)

By Stephanie Wei under PGA Championship

Keegan: Pinch me, someone!

As I was scrolling through a season’s worth of posts on ’11 PGA champ Keegan Bradley on Saturday evening, I came across one I’d written at the Bob Hope Classic (where he T7 at his second-career PGA Tour start) nearly seven months ago.

I can’t believe I’d forgotten about Mary Kay Zordani’s bold prediction that Keegan would win a major this season because of her track record over the last few years.

Here’s the excerpt from the post dated January 21, 2011:

21 Comments

#2011 PGA Championship, #Atlanta Athletic Club, #Bob Hope Classic, #Fortune-telling, #Keegan Bradley, #La Quinta, #Mary Kay Zordani

Jun

30

2011

Bob Hope Classic Now the Humana Challenge

By Stephanie Wei under PGA Tour

Bob Hope no more...

In light of signing a new sponsor, the Bob Hope Classic will become known as the Humana Challenge (but I’m pretty sure that everyone will continue to call it the Hope). According to the PGA Tour press release, “Humana working with PGA TOUR, Clinton Foundation to advance well-being and continue Bob Hope’s legacy; tournament features new 4-day format, expanded field.”

3 Comments

#Bob Hope Classic, #Humana Challenge, #Joe Ogilivie

Jan

24

2011

This Week’s PGA Tour Confidential: The Bob Hope Classic, Tiger, Paddy and More

By Stephanie Wei under PGA Tour Confidential

Tiger's last appearance at Torrey Pines was the 2008 US Open

For the few who haven’t read it yet (because I know it’s just about everyone’s first stop on Monday morning), check out the latest edition of PGA Tour Confidential. We discuss the world’s No. 3 making his first start this week at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, Padraig Harrington and Dimplegate, Captain Davis and the 2012 US Ryder Cup team (a bit premature), and of course, the thrilling finish at the Bob Hope Classic. Below are some excerpts to get a lively discussion started. First, let’s go to the incorrect scorecard rule and armchair rules officials:

6 Comments

#Armchair rules officials, #Bob Hope Classic, #Dimplegate, #Farmers Insurance Open, #Jhonattan Vegas, #Padraig Harrington, #Tiger Woods, #Torrey Pines

Jan

24

2011

Vegas, Baby!

By Stephanie Wei under PGA Tour

As the sun was quickly vanishing behind the mountains in La Quinta, California, Jhonattan Vegas drained a 13-foot par putt to beat Gary Woodland on the second playoff hole to win the Bob Hope Classic, his second tournament as a PGA Tour rookie and his fifth career start. Similar to Vegas’ journey to the PGA Tour, he ran into a few bumps along the course, but compared to the hurdles he’s cleared just to play competitive golf, it was no sweat.

7 Comments

#Bill Haas, #Bob Hope Classic, #Gary Woodland, #Jhonattan Vegas, #PGA Tour Rookies

Jan

24

2011

Bradley Hits the Big-Time

By Stephanie Wei under PGA Tour

Keegan Bradley: power-hitting rookie notches his first top ten

Keegan Bradley made a start that, if not life-changing, was a major league confidence boost. In his second-career start on the PGA Tour, the rookie, who finished 14th on the Nationwide Tour money list last year, shot 66-67-68-66-70 to finish T7 at the Bob Hope Classic.

On the eve of the first round, Keegan said his goal was to stay relaxed and patient and have more fun — things that worked well for him in pro-am tournaments on the Nationwide Tour last year, where he shot a 61 at two different events. Apparently, he carried out the game plan like a veteran.

8 Comments

#Bob Hope Classic, #Keegan Bradley, #PGA Tour Rookies

Jan

22

2011

President Clinton to Become Future Host of the Bob Hope Classic?

By Stephanie Wei under PGA Tour

Could the Tour form a partnership with the Clinton Foundation?

The possibility of President Bill Clinton getting involved with the Bob Hope Classic was raised by PGA Tour player Joe Ogilvie on Friday. Speaking to golfdigest.com, Ogilvie, one of the Tour’s brightest, believes bringing in Clinton as host would revitalize the struggling event, which has been without a sponsor since 2009 after Chrysler went bankrupt. In response to Ogilvie’s comments, the PGA Tour handed out an official statement to the press in the media tent at the Hope on Saturday morning:

8 Comments

#Bob Hope Classic, #Clinton Foundation, #Joe Ogilvie, #President Bill Clinton

Jan

21

2011

Keegan Bradley Draws on a Career of Wisdom

By Stephanie Wei under PGA Tour

Keegan Bradley: SMASHED!

With his fine play through three rounds at this week’s Bob Hope Classic, Keegan Bradley is starting to make a name for himself, but he has the good fortune to have a legendary aunt to turn to for advice. The 24-year-old PGA Tour rookie is LPGA Hall of Famer Pat Bradley’s nephew (ask Keegan how often her name comes up when he talks to the press), and the two talk often, either via text or phone calls, where she imparts some of her invaluable wisdom of the mental side of the game.

19 Comments

#Bob Hope Classic, #Keegan Bradley, #La Quinta Country Club, #Pat Bradley

Jan

21

2011

Deleted Scenes from Life on Tour, Thursday Edition

By Stephanie Wei under PGA Tour

Me and Jeehae in the walkway between No. 8 and No. 9 at Nicklaus Private

THURSDAY NOTEBOOK

*I walked six holes with Brian Davis. Here’s a funny story that gives you a sense of his sense of humor. On No. 6 a caddie of one of the amateurs Davis was playing with asked him if he could get him a date with the girl in the white shirt (I was wearing a white shirt). Davis looked at him with a straight face and said, “That’s my wife.”

6 Comments

#Anthony Kim, #Beer Hunter, #Bob Hope Classic, #Brian Davis, #Entourage, #Jeehae Lee, #La Quinta, #Nicklaus Private