News Grab-Bag: 3/7/14

Slow news week in the world of golf, with Tiger Woods' "will he, won't he" play speculation taking up a majority of the headlines.

- There will not be a WGC Slam winner this year, as Jason Day withdrew from the WGC-Cadillac Championship prior to the start of the first round with a thumb injury. It does not sound like the injury is too severe, and was taking precautionary measures. Day won the WGC Match Play two weeks ago.

- Golf week has an interview and break down of events regarding Lisa Ferrero's cancer diagnosis and treatment. It is definitely worth the read.

- European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley named two of his assistant captains, Sam Torrance and Des Smyth. One tally mark the US had was that the US captain, Tom Watson, has captained in a Ryder Cup prior, whereas McGinley has not. Both of McGinley's assistant captains have prior experience, with Torrance serving as captain in 2002 and Smyth serving as assistant captain in 2006.

- PGA President Ted Bishop announced earlier this week that they are looking into permanently hosting the Ryder Cup in Valhalla Country Club when the US hosts the event, in what may be the worst decision the PGA could ever consider making. I understand that the PGA needs to have the interests of the US in mind when choosing courses, and Valhalla is one of the only courses where the US has had success in previous years, but that does not mean putting all your eggs in that basket. The US has suffered from terrible course decision making previously, with many of the Ryder Cups played in the US on slightly links style courses. There are plenty of courses out there that can serve to an American advantage (Colonial, Congressional, Marion, etc.) The PGA just needs better decision makers within their organization.