The Morning Punch Out - February 26, 2020

February 26, 2020

Welcome to The Morning Punch Out, a quick guide for your day in golf.

Lots going on, let's get to it!


Fanatic's Masters Bathroom Is Real And Spectacular

Believe it or not, we're less than 50 days away from the first major championship of the year. You can practically hear the soft piano music and dulcet tones of Jim Nantz welcoming you to "a tradition unlike any other."

While sights and sounds from Augusta National can stir certain emotions from any golf fan, a certain Wisconsin golf fan may take the cake for ingenuity and commitment to the event for this Masters-themed bathroom. Gregg Thompson shared his little slice of heaven on Twitter last week, and it's incredible.

From the Masters green on the walls to a collection of books about the club and tournament, there may not be a better Amen Corner to sneak off to outside of Augusta than this one.

Royal Troon Will Host The 2023 Open

Seven years after it hosted Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson's mano-a-mano duel, Royal Troon will once again play host to the oldest major championship in golf.

The venue on the east coast of Scotland will host to its 10th Open, celebrating 100 years since the championship first came to Troon in 1923.

"We are very much looking forward to celebrating another milestone in the cherished history of The Open when we mark the 100th anniversary of the Championship first being played at Royal Troon," Chief Executive of the R&A Martin Slumbers said.

Royal Troon's latest turn in the rota means that the next decision comes in the form of the 2024 Open with several venues waiting for their next hosting gig, including Turnberry, Lytham and Muirfield, each of whom wouldn't have hosted the event for more than a decade.

Hoffmann Receives PGA Tour's Courage Award

Four years after being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Morgan Hoffmann has been awarded the PGA Tour's Courage Award. Hoffmann was diagnosed with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) in 2016. The disorder is characterized by chronic weakness and muscle loss across the chest, shoulders and upper arms.

"I am humbled to receive the PGA Tour Courage Award," Hoffmann wrote on Instagram. "I have to thank the Tour, the Commissioner, PGA Tour Entertainment, the players, and player relations staff for always supporting me like a family member. This is something I will never forget, and plan to make the most of.

"Thank you also to my wife, my family, friends, and sponsors who have been there since day one. You mean the most and lift me up. I am on a journey to find true health, naturally. And I will come back better and stronger than ever."

The award is given to players who "overcome extraordinary adversity, such as personal tragedy or debilitating injury or illness, to make a significant and meaningful contribution to the game of golf." Hoffmann becomes the award's fourth recipient and joins the likes of Erik Compton, Jarrod Lyle and Gene Sauers. The award comes with a $25,000 charitable donation to the Morgan Hoffmann Foundation, which will be presented later this year at his Foundation's event.

Kerr Trying Hand At On-Course Reporting At Honda

With the LPGA Tour taking an unexpected break due to the cancelation of its Asian Swing, former World No. 1 Cristie Kerr will be suiting up in on-course broadcast gear to cover this week's Honda Classic on the PGA Tour for NBC Sports.

"I'm very excited to join the Golf Channel team for the week of The Honda Classic," Kerr said in a release. "I look forward to learning from them and putting my golf expertise to use for viewers. This should be an amazing experience."

This will be Kerr's third television appearance in an analyst role, but her first covering the men's Tour. She'll join Jim "Bones" Mackay and Roger Maltbie on the ground at PGA National this week.


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