Geoff Shackelford is a contributing writer for both Golf World and Golf Digest. He is a frequent guest on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive and hosts one of the most viewed golf websites at: http://www.geoffshackelford.com/www.GeoffShackelford.com.
Shackelford spent the week following the participants in the Northern Trust Open at Riviera and brought his timely insight to the Back 9 Report. He tackled a variety of subjects including Tiger Woods problems, Sergio Garcia blew another opportunity and why Fred Couples was not chosen for the 2016 Ryder Cup Captaincy.
Couples is too laid back for the bureaucrats at the PGA of America. Although the players love his hands-off easy-going management style, the top brass at the PGA want someone a little easier to contact.
Back 9 Report asked Geoff about Tiger Woods’ current problems and he believes they derive from a combination of physical and mental aspects. Maybe one affects the other, but he will not return to greatness until he fixes both.
Rory McIlroy will be making his first start in the U.S. this week at the Honda Classic and we asked Shackelford what he expects from the world No. 1.
Coming off his recent win in Dubai and having settled his lawsuit with his former management company, Horizon, he expects McIlroy to continue to dominate the PGA Tour and be a factor to earn his first career Grand Slam at the Masters in April.
With the absence of Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods on leaderboards, he discussed the youth movement on the PGA Tour. Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed and Justin Thomas have become the household names on tour.
He spent time following Justin Thomas at Riviera. Although he did not play well in Los Angeles, he kept grinding and Shackelford was impressed with his attitude.
Also on the Back 9 Report Carlos and Fred put their unique spin on the Par 5 News presented by United Golf Network with items about, Davis Love named Ryder Cup Captain and Chairman of the PGA Tour Players Advisory Council. St. Andrews’ Hell Bunker is getting a facelift. Lydia Ko won again at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open and a 16-year-old high school senior won on the Symetra Tour. Top Golf will open a new location next to the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and IMG, a part of the William Morris Group, purchased Sports Management.
The full interview with Geoff Shackelford and the Back 9 Report can be downloaded at: http://tunein.com/topic/?topicId=96535126