News Grab-Bag: 1/24/2014

- During my recap of last weekends events, I forgot chose not to discuss Rory McIlroy's and Phil Mickelson's rules dust-ups and disasters. For those unaware of what I am talking about, Stephanie Wei has a wonderful write up. I don't consider it much of a big deal, mainly because of who we're talking about here. In Rory's case, it was a matter of just not seeing the infraction. It wasn't cheating, it wasn't a lapse in judgment, and it wasn't not knowing the rules. He just simply did not see where he was standing, and it cost him. It's a shame, because it didn't help him in the end, and it cost him the tournament, but these things happen in golf. With Phil, well...I've started to get used to Phil Mickelson attempting some crazy shot he has no business trying. Most of the time he pulls it off. In this case, he couldn't. This isn't going to stop Phil from being Phil.

- Augusta National announced that, starting in 2015, the winner of the Latin America Amateur Golf Championship will receive an invite to the Masters. This continues Augusta's attempt at growing the game internationally, following the same benefits they gave to the winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur. The Asia-Pacific gave us Hideki Matsuyama, so I am incredibly excited to see what hidden gems we will get see from the Latin America region.

- The LPGA released their newest videos for their "See Why It's Different" campaign. They are...interesting. For the sake of the LPGA, I hope these commercials generate interest, but...wow.

- Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Steve Webster lead after three rounds of the European Tour's Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. Sergio Garcia is three back...Stewart Cink leads by one after the opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open. Tiger Woods struggled on the South Course, shooting even par to sit 8 back. Phil is at -3...Lydia Ko is among the leaders at the Pure Silk Bahamas Classic.