John Daly's eye-catching wardrobe was on display during Wednesday's Greenbrier Classic pro-am, where he played with Greenbrier resort owner Jim Justice (left).
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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS - It turns out Jim Furyk is quite the West Virginia University football fan.
"One of my close friends at home grew up in Morgantown, spent a couple of years at WVU, and I've been to about three football games in the past few years,'' said Furyk, who is from West Chester, Pa.
"There is a great atmosphere in Morgantown. Obviously, the whole community lives and dies with every play in every game. That's fun no matter where you're at.''
Furyk said he and his family and friends take several college football trips a year.
"I'll go on probably about three or four football trips a year to see some games,'' he said. "I've never been to a Texas A&M game or a Notre Dame game, and they have similar atmospheres.
"Those things I put on my list. But Morgantown is a fun place to hang out. I've actually been given a couple of pictures from people who have taken pictures with me tailgating at the games, so it's kind of been fun.''
Furyk said he noticed how loyal West Virginians are to the Mountaineers during Wednesday's Greenbrier Classic pro-am.
"I'm shocked at how many blue and gold shirts with WV written on them I've seen,'' he said. "They're like three hours away. It is amazing.
"I've found one Virginia Tech hat all week, so the Mountie fans have them definitely outnumbered. And I hear [Tech] is closer. Like Virginia Tech is only two hours away. It's amazing. There's a lot of blue and gold out there. I'm surprised, because it's clear on the other end of the state.''
Nearly lapped
Leave it to a speed demon to be slow to the first tee.
NASCAR star Denny Hamlin made it to his 1:10 p.m. tee time just in time to snap a couple of photos before he was thrust into Wednesday's pro-am.
Playing with partner Webb Simpson and fellow amateurs Todd Fishon and Bob Cochran, Hamlin, a lefty, slapped his first drive a good length, but left and into the rough.
Hamlin flew in from Charlotte, N.C., and may or may not have been feeling the effects of a night of partying, according to his flight buddies.
"We didn't really give ourselves much time on the driving range," said Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 FedEx for Joe Gibbs racing. "It was kinda boom-boom and we were off."
Hamlin picked up golf after his NASCAR career began. He said he has about three days off per week, and with his spare time he's taken up the sport, which he says is one of the most challenging sports to conquer. FedEx also sponsors the FedExCup on the PGA Tour.
Other sports notables at Wednesday's pro-am were Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino and former Tennessee Titans tight end Frank Wycheck.
Hello, governor
Gaston Caperton, the former West Virginia governor, participated in the pro-am.
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Greenbrier notebook: Count Furyk as a Mountaineer fan
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS - It turns out Jim Furyk is quite the West Virginia University football fan.
"One of my close friends at home grew up in Morgantown, spent a couple of years at WVU, and I've been to about three football games in the past few years,'' said Furyk, who is from West Chester, Pa.
"There is a great atmosphere in Morgantown. Obviously, the whole community lives and dies with every play in every game. That's fun no matter where you're at.''
Furyk said he and his family and friends take several college football trips a year.
"I'll go on probably about three or four football trips a year to see some games,'' he said. "I've never been to a Texas A&M game or a Notre Dame game, and they have similar atmospheres.
"Those things I put on my list. But Morgantown is a fun place to hang out. I've actually been given a couple of pictures from people who have taken pictures with me tailgating at the games, so it's kind of been fun.''
Furyk said he noticed how loyal West Virginians are to the Mountaineers during Wednesday's Greenbrier Classic pro-am.
"I'm shocked at how many blue and gold shirts with WV written on them I've seen,'' he said. "They're like three hours away. It is amazing.
"I've found one Virginia Tech hat all week, so the Mountie fans have them definitely outnumbered. And I hear [Tech] is closer. Like Virginia Tech is only two hours away. It's amazing. There's a lot of blue and gold out there. I'm surprised, because it's clear on the other end of the state.''
Nearly lapped
Leave it to a speed demon to be slow to the first tee.
NASCAR star Denny Hamlin made it to his 1:10 p.m. tee time just in time to snap a couple of photos before he was thrust into Wednesday's pro-am.
Playing with partner Webb Simpson and fellow amateurs Todd Fishon and Bob Cochran, Hamlin, a lefty, slapped his first drive a good length, but left and into the rough.
Hamlin flew in from Charlotte, N.C., and may or may not have been feeling the effects of a night of partying, according to his flight buddies.
"We didn't really give ourselves much time on the driving range," said Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 FedEx for Joe Gibbs racing. "It was kinda boom-boom and we were off."
Hamlin picked up golf after his NASCAR career began. He said he has about three days off per week, and with his spare time he's taken up the sport, which he says is one of the most challenging sports to conquer. FedEx also sponsors the FedExCup on the PGA Tour.
Other sports notables at Wednesday's pro-am were Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino and former Tennessee Titans tight end Frank Wycheck.
Hello, governor
Gaston Caperton, the former West Virginia governor, participated in the pro-am.
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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS - It turns out Jim Furyk is quite the West Virginia University football fan.
"One of my close friends at home grew up in Morgantown, spent a couple of years at WVU, and I've been to about three football games in the past few years,'' said Furyk, who is from West Chester, Pa.
"There is a great atmosphere in Morgantown. Obviously, the whole community lives and dies with every play in every game. That's fun no matter where you're at.''
Furyk said he and his family and friends take several college football trips a year.
"I'll go on probably about three or four football trips a year to see some games,'' he said. "I've never been to a Texas A&M game or a Notre Dame game, and they have similar atmospheres.
"Those things I put on my list. But Morgantown is a fun place to hang out. I've actually been given a couple of pictures from people who have taken pictures with me tailgating at the games, so it's kind of been fun.''
Furyk said he noticed how loyal West Virginians are to the Mountaineers during Wednesday's Greenbrier Classic pro-am.
"I'm shocked at how many blue and gold shirts with WV written on them I've seen,'' he said. "They're like three hours away. It is amazing.
"I've found one Virginia Tech hat all week, so the Mountie fans have them definitely outnumbered. And I hear [Tech] is closer. Like Virginia Tech is only two hours away. It's amazing. There's a lot of blue and gold out there. I'm surprised, because it's clear on the other end of the state.''
Nearly lapped
Leave it to a speed demon to be slow to the first tee.
NASCAR star Denny Hamlin made it to his 1:10 p.m. tee time just in time to snap a couple of photos before he was thrust into Wednesday's pro-am.
Playing with partner Webb Simpson and fellow amateurs Todd Fishon and Bob Cochran, Hamlin, a lefty, slapped his first drive a good length, but left and into the rough.
Hamlin flew in from Charlotte, N.C., and may or may not have been feeling the effects of a night of partying, according to his flight buddies.
"We didn't really give ourselves much time on the driving range," said Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 FedEx for Joe Gibbs racing. "It was kinda boom-boom and we were off."
Hamlin picked up golf after his NASCAR career began. He said he has about three days off per week, and with his spare time he's taken up the sport, which he says is one of the most challenging sports to conquer. FedEx also sponsors the FedExCup on the PGA Tour.
Other sports notables at Wednesday's pro-am were Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino and former Tennessee Titans tight end Frank Wycheck.
Hello, governor
Gaston Caperton, the former West Virginia governor, participated in the pro-am.
"If people see my golf, they'll wonder what I'm doing here,'' smiled Caperton. "I'm just a little nervous about my play. I don't play very often. I haven't played for a year or so. I picked the wrong place to start, didn't I?''
Caperton was paired with PGA Tour regular Brad Faxon and two other amateurs.
"It's just great to be here to support this wonderful tournament and see the Greenbrier come alive on an international basis,'' said Caperton, a two-term governor from 1989 to 1997 who now serves as president of the College Board, which administers the nationally recognized ACT and AP tests.
"[Greenbrier owner] Jim [Justice] has done such a fantastic job coming in here buying this place and turning it around. I admire him and his family so much for the contribution they're making to this community and West Virginia. I'm here to celebrate them.''
As good as it gets
Slugger White says the Greenbrier Classic is progressing as well as any other tournament on the PGA Tour.
White, a PGA Rules Official and close friend to Justice, said he couldn't properly find the words to describe how well the tournament has been handled so far.
"I've only ever opened one other inaugural event, the International at Castle Pines, but I can honestly say that there was no stone unturned there, and the same can be said here," White said. "It's the epitome of what we're looking for."
White said golfer Jonathan Byrd, among others, told him how scenic it was to play in the mountainous terrain - somewhat of a rarity on the PGA Tour.
"What we have is special,'' said White. "It's first class. Just being from this area, I'm excited for the state."
Divots
Barry Evans, the head pro at Berry Hills Country Club, and PGA Tour regular Kenny Perry are staging a reunion this week. The two, who are close friends from their days together on a mini-tour in Florida, are competing in the Greenbrier Classic. Evans earned an exemption through the Tri-State PGA. Both will have their sons on the bags as caddies.
John Daly, who was wearing yellow pants with black lightning bolts, didn't sign autographs or speak to the media after his pro-am round with Justice. Daly took the catwalk over the spectators to get to the clubhouse and could be heard telling those in his company to, 'Hurry up. I don't have all day,' and motioning with his hand. By the way, Daly's girlfriend wore matching shorts.
Nick Watney, who has six top-10 finishes this season, withdrew from the Greenbrier Classic on Wednesday, citing personal reasons. Mark Hensby, who is from Melbourne, Australia, and one of 15 alternates, took Watney's place in the field. Hensby, who is the third alternate to join the tournament, has a pair of top-25 finishes this year.
Brandt Snedeker won Wednesday's pro-am with a 9-under-par 61. David Toms and Sergio Garcia tied for second a stroke back at 8 under.
Garcia said Wednesday that he will donate $1,000 for every birdie he makes during this week's tournament and $5,000 for every eagle to the fund supporting the families of the 29 miners killed in April in the Upper Big Branch mine explosion. Perry started the initiative last month when he entered the tournament. Pennsylvania businessman Dick Carrara, owner of Amthor Steel and Carrara Steel, and Justice will match Perry's and Garcia's contributions.
The opening round of the Greenbrier Classic will be televised from 3 to 6 p.m. today on the Golf Channel. The Golf Channel will also televise Friday's second round from 3 to 6 p.m. before turning over weekend coverage to CBS on Saturday and Sunday.
In the event of a tie after Sunday's final round, a one-hole playoff will decide the champion and the $1.08 million winner's share. Golfers will repeat the No. 18 hole, and if there is still a tie they will go to the 17th then repeat the 18th if needed.
Article Preview
This article is available only to our premium digital content subscribers.
Greenbrier notebook: Count Furyk as a Mountaineer fan
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS - It turns out Jim Furyk is quite the West Virginia University football fan.
"One of my close friends at home grew up in Morgantown, spent a couple of years at WVU, and I've been to about three football games in the past few years,'' said Furyk, who is from West Chester, Pa.
"There is a great atmosphere in Morgantown. Obviously, the whole community lives and dies with every play in every game. That's fun no matter where you're at.''
Furyk said he and his family and friends take several college football trips a year.
"I'll go on probably about three or four football trips a year to see some games,'' he said. "I've never been to a Texas A&M game or a Notre Dame game, and they have similar atmospheres.
"Those things I put on my list. But Morgantown is a fun place to hang out. I've actually been given a couple of pictures from people who have taken pictures with me tailgating at the games, so it's kind of been fun.''
Furyk said he noticed how loyal West Virginians are to the Mountaineers during Wednesday's Greenbrier Classic pro-am.
"I'm shocked at how many blue and gold shirts with WV written on them I've seen,'' he said. "They're like three hours away. It is amazing.
"I've found one Virginia Tech hat all week, so the Mountie fans have them definitely outnumbered. And I hear [Tech] is closer. Like Virginia Tech is only two hours away. It's amazing. There's a lot of blue and gold out there. I'm surprised, because it's clear on the other end of the state.''
Nearly lapped
Leave it to a speed demon to be slow to the first tee.
NASCAR star Denny Hamlin made it to his 1:10 p.m. tee time just in time to snap a couple of photos before he was thrust into Wednesday's pro-am.
Playing with partner Webb Simpson and fellow amateurs Todd Fishon and Bob Cochran, Hamlin, a lefty, slapped his first drive a good length, but left and into the rough.
Hamlin flew in from Charlotte, N.C., and may or may not have been feeling the effects of a night of partying, according to his flight buddies.
"We didn't really give ourselves much time on the driving range," said Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 FedEx for Joe Gibbs racing. "It was kinda boom-boom and we were off."
Hamlin picked up golf after his NASCAR career began. He said he has about three days off per week, and with his spare time he's taken up the sport, which he says is one of the most challenging sports to conquer. FedEx also sponsors the FedExCup on the PGA Tour.
Other sports notables at Wednesday's pro-am were Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino and former Tennessee Titans tight end Frank Wycheck.
Hello, governor
Gaston Caperton, the former West Virginia governor, participated in the pro-am.
