Coronavirus is still a major concern throughout the country. In Alabama alone, there were over 900 cases yesterday with 87 in Jefferson County. Trump said last week it’s “fading away.” I don’t agree with that, Donald J.

And the virus is now a big concern on the PGA Tour as 5 players have withdrawn this week from the Travelers Championship. They are Cameron Champ, who tested positive yesterday, Brooks Koepka, whose caddie, Ricky Elliott, tested positive yesterday, Chase Koepka, Brooks’ little brother who was scheduled to play and due to his proximity to Brooks will not, Graeme McDowell, whose caddie, Ken Cowboy, tested positive, and Webb Simpson due to precautionary measures. Nick Watney tested positive last Friday.

So, there’s no way to just disregard it. It’s a problem for golf, college football with all the positive tests coming from Clemson (23), LSU (isolating several players) Texas (at least 9 players) Kansas State (so many positive tests that practice has been cancelled for 2 weeks), Alabama had 5 a couple of weeks ago and Auburn has had a player test positive. Many teams may not even be reporting for competitive reasons though that’s kind of foolish as if there’s not a season what does it matter. Major League Baseball, after finally agreeing to a 60 game schedule starting July 24th and ending September 27th with the usual 10 playoff teams, will have issues most likely. Those negotiations were excruciating with the players being total idiots in not agreeing with the owners’ countless offers. With people losing their jobs, seeing these baseball players being so self centered was disgusting. They may have lost several fans with the charade they pulled off. Then they’ll have to deal with the virus, so no guarantee on baseball either. Same with the NBA. The virus and the protests are major issues for that league. They’re supposed to start July 30th and play 8 games with 22 teams then have playoffs in Orlando with those 22 teams, though Florida has been spiking tremendously recently in cases.

It’s a circus in sports right now. The NFL is just acting like there are no problems. They’re not living on the same planet as the rest of America.

Defending champion at The Travelers, Chez Revie

Last week’s winner: Webb Simpson. Shot -22 to defeat Abraham Ancer by 1 shot and capture the plaid jacket and the $1.278M first place check. Webb is still one of the top players in the world. He checked in at No.5 this week.

7 of the top 10 players in the world are playing including No.1 Rory, No.2 John Rahm, No.3 Justin Thomas, No.4 Koepka is out. No.5 Simpson out. No. 6 Dustin Johnson playing. No.7 Patrick Reed is playing. No.8 Adam Scott is not playing, No.9 Patrick Cantlay is playing. And No.10 Xander Schauffele is playing.

So it’s a solid field. Three time winner Bubba Watson is also playing. Bubba won at TPC River Highlands in 2010, 2015 and 2018. He’s also won 3 times at Riviera, the Genesis Open (2014, 2016 and 2018) and has won 2 Green Jackets, in 2012 and 2014. The 41 year old from Bagdad, Florida finished tied 7th 2 weeks ago at the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial CC in Fort Worth. He was asked yesterday if he checks the tee sheet on Tuesdays to see who he’s playing with and if that’s a factor. He said he does and if you’re stuck with some guy you don’t want to be with it’s a 1 or 2 shot difference in his score. He asked the interviewer if they wanted the politically correct answer of the true answer and the interviewer of course said he wanted the real answer. And Bubba gave it to him.

The PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco will be played without fans. It will be held August 6th-9th provided things don’t get any worse on the tour.

And the Guardian, a British Media Service, reported yesterday that the Ryder Cup is being postponed until 2021. It was scheduled for Sept. 25th-27th at Whistling Straits in Kohler Wisconsin, site of the 2010 and 2015 PGA Championships. There has been no announcement from the PGA or PGA Europe on it, but it appears inevitable that it will take place. There will be some thrilling golf in 2021 with the Olympics in Japan and the Ryder Cup along with the the majors. We’re just going to have to make do with what we got this year. The players don’t want to play in the Ryder Cup without fans. I guess I don’t blame them. I could watch it for sure as many people would want to, even without fans, so I’d like to see them play it. But with the uncertainly of Corona, maybe it’s the best thing to postpone it.

Colin “Monty” Montgomerie turned 57 yesterday. He’s best known for gagging in majors and never winning on the PGA Tour. He won 31 times on the European Tour, but never across the pond in the U.S.A. He posted 5 runner-ups in majors. He lost in a playoff in 1994 to Ernie Els at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in PA., . and lost to Steve Elkington in a playoff in the 1995 PGA Championship at Riviera in L.A. Another colossal gag by “Montee” was in the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot that was overshadowed by Mickelson’s gag loss. “Montee” double bogeyed 18, a hole that if he had parred would have given him the major title. So more disappointments than achievements from“Montee.”

Colin Morikawa has made 23 straight cuts, which is fantastic though he did pull a gag city 2 weeks ago at the Charles Schwab Challenge in missing a 3 footer on the first playoff hole in a loss to Daniel Berger. The record, phenomenally, is Tiger with 142 straight cuts made from 1998 to 2005. He passed Byron Nelson in 2003 at the Tour Championship when he won his 114th. Nelson recorded 113 in a row. Jack Nicklaus was 3rd with 105. Tiger’s streak ended at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship on May 13th, 2005.

Key holes at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, CONN. 6,841 yards, par 70.

No.4 489 yards, Par 4

Takes 2 great golf shots to reach the green. Par is a very good score on this hole.

No.15, 289 yards Par 4

One of the most exciting holes on the PGA Tour. A lot of guys go for it, and there will be fireworks on Sunday with water on the left and sand on the right that could provide for some great drama on Sunday afternoon.

No. 16, 153 yards, Par 3

The scenic Par 3 requires a well struck 8 or 9 iron to carry the water and stop on the narrow green. There’s a lot of slope on this green, so pin placements can make it difficult. The greens are Poa Annua at TPC River Highlands.

No.17, 400 yards, Par 4

This is an intimidating hole. Players must fit their drives between the large lake that covers the entire right side and difficult fairway bunkers on the left. The approach is entirely over water and with any wind the club selection is crucial. Can be a make or break hole for the contenders on Sunday.

No. 18, 430 yards, Par 4

The players can make birdie if they play the hole well. A good drive leaves a mid iron to a green with a couple of bunkers around it. Jordan Spieth memorably chipped in from the sand to secure a playoff victory over Daniel Berger in 2017. His jumping, shoulder bump with his caddie Michael Greller almost knocked Greller off his feet. It’s a great memory.

Weather

Thursday, 84 Sunny. Wind 7-10.

Friday, Sunny, 86, Wind 7-10.

Saturday, Sunny, 89, Wind 7-12.

Sunday, 60% chance T-storms, 87, wind 7-12. So wind is somewhat of a factor Thursday and Friday and definitely a factor on Saturday and Sunday. No.17 will be a major challenge as will the par 3 16th.

TV

Thursday-Friday, 2-5 PM CT, Golf Channel.

Saturday-Sunday, 12-2 PM CT Golf Channel, 2-5 PM CT CBS.

Bama Golf successfully predicted Tiz The Law to win at the Belmont last week rather handily. Bama was right on the mark. Great work, Bama G.

Winner

I’m very tempted to take Bubba. I think I will take Gerry “Lester” Bubba Watson. He finished T-7th at the Charles Schwab Challenge 2 weeks ago and as my man, Walter Pittman says, “He’s the horse for the course.”

Bubba Watson

Sleeper

Abraham Ancer

Finished 2nd last week at the RBC Heritage and finished Tied 8th last year at the Travelers.