Golf

The PGA Tour will NOT have 8:46 AM tee times this week ... the golf org just announced it'll hold moments of silence instead -- and it's all to honor George Floyd.

The Tour said in a statement Tuesday the tributes will go down in its return to the national spotlight this weekend at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday through Sunday.

"As the PGA Tour commits to amplifying the voices and efforts underway to end systemic issues of racial and social injustices impacting our country," Tour officials said, "we have reserved the 8:46 a.m. tee time at the Charles Schwab Challenge to pay our respects to the memory of George Floyd."

"We will pause at 8:46 a.m. during each round for a moment of silence, prayer and reflection."

It's a big honor ... this weekend's tournament -- the first official one since the coronavirus pandemic suspended play back in March -- is expected to draw potentially millions of eyeballs.

Stars like Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka are all listed as participants ... and according to the Tour, they'll all pause at 8:46 AM for the moment silence following three horn blasts from Tour officials.

As we previously reported ... Floyd died on May 25 after police officers knelt on his back and neck for 8:46 seconds.

John Daly says he can fix Tom Brady's golf issues -- telling TMZ Sports with just one lesson, the new Tampa Bay QB could hit it 100 yards farther off the tee!!

"I'm down in Clearwater," Daly says, "he's a Buc now, so if he wants to come out, we'll go play golf or I'll meet him -- I can help him in 10 minutes!"

Tom's biggest problem, according to Daly? It's all about the driver ... John tells us Tom's refusal to use one because of lack of confidence in the club is KILLING the QB's scores.

"That's the easiest club in the bag to hit," Daly says. "It's the biggest face in your bag. And, somebody's not helping him. We need to get his driver right. We got to give him a driver."

Of course, Brady didn't pack one for his awful performance in "The Match" vs. Peyton Manning and Tiger Woods earlier this month -- and Daly says that has to change.

"He'd hit it probably an extra 100 yards," Daly tells us, "and the whole game would change for him."

Tom should take the advice ... Daly was famous for his long drives when he was a regular on the PGA Tour -- hitting them 300-plus with ease.

Now, on the tee ... the favorite for the 2028 Masters -- John Daly II?!?!

Don't be surprised if that's a real thing later this decade ... 'cause John Daly tells TMZ Sports his 16-year-old son has golf superstar written all over him!!!

"I can't keep up with him now," Daly says. "He hits it so far. He pummels it. He's flying it about 300, 305 [yards] now."

Papa Daly ain't lying ... his son really does have the golf goods -- he just finished in second place at a major tournament this week.

In fact, the younger Daly tore up the course ... shooting just a 4-over par at the same Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indiana where his dad won the 1991 PGA Championship.

"He's got it in him," Daly says. "We'll see how college goes and we'll see how it goes. But, he hits it, man. He's got that sound. It's that sound of a swish in basketball. Or, that perfect pass on a post pattern. That tennis racket hitting it solid every time."

"He hits it solid every time. It's a sound that a lot of people in golf don't have. And, he's had it since he was about 8."

Daly -- who's still a hell of a golfer even at 54 years old -- says his son now beats him from time to time on the course ... and he's clearly proud as hell of where his kid's golf career is headed.

Could Michael Jordan be the next legend to hit iron shots with Phil Mickelson against Tiger Woods??

The lefty sure as hell wouldn't mind seeing it ... because Phil says he's trying to make "The Match" an annual event now -- hoping to get guys like MJ and Steph Curry to participate in 2021.

“I think you could showcase guys like Steph Curry and Michael Jordan or Tony Romo and Patrick Mahomes, who are all good golfers, elite talents and have great personalities," Mickelson told the LA Times after "The Match II's" wild success over the weekend.

"Those personalities are going to come out with this event. Or you could have someone who loves the game and is competitive but is really entertaining like Larry David and Bill Murray. I think that could shine.”

Of course, the possibilities seem endless right now ... given just how big of a success the Woods-Peyton Manning vs. Mickelson-Tom Brady outing went on Sunday.

According to multiple reports, MILLIONS of people tuned in to watch the event ... ultimately making it the most-watched cable broadcast in the sport's history.

Phil, Tiger and event organizers are all on board to run it back next year ... and it doesn't seem there will be a shortage of celebs lining up to join the golf legends -- in fact, Curry even tweeted during the event he wants in next year.

Soooooo ... Tiger and Steph vs. MJ and Phil in 2021??

Two alligators violently fought it out on a South Carolina golf course ... and the footage of the two beasts locking jaws and tossing each other around is INSANE!!

Check out video posted by The Golf Club at Hilton Head Lakes in Hardeeville, SC ... where two gators were caught in a crazy tussle right on one of the fairways.

According to course officials, the action all went down last week on the 18th hole ... when one golfer captured the wild scene.

You can see in the vid ... the two gators bit into each other's faces -- and wouldn't let go, even after they violently twisted!!!

And, if the action caught on video wasn't crazy enough for you -- a witness says the battle went on for roughly 2 HOURS!!

Thankfully, nobody was hurt during the on-course action ... but it's unclear if golfers' scores survived the melee as well.

HERE WE GOOO!!!!

The biggest golf event of the year is finally underway ... with Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning facing off against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in "The Match" -- a COVID-19 charity golf showdown in Florida.

The whole thing was up in the air earlier Sunday morning ... with a massive rainstorm delaying the big event.

And, if golfing in the rain sounds like a fun time ... it definitely doesn't look like it.

The star-studded lineup just hit the links at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound for a fan-less affair ... braving the weather for the showdown.

Of course, Phil and Tiger faced off back in 2018 with Lefty coming out on top ... but adding the 2 Hall of Fame QBs will be sure to make things a lot more interesting in the tag-team format.

And, for those looking to tune in on the action, Charles Barkley is on board as an analyst for the Turner broadcast ... as if you needed any more reason to check it out.

FYI -- Peyton is reportedly a 6.4 handicap, while Tom is reportedly an 8.1 ... for those interested in putting some dough on the showdown.

BTW -- Tiger's wearing his Sunday Red ... so be ready for an EPIC performance.

Golf superstar Rory McIlroy says he's been REJECTING opportunities to play with President Trump "out of choice" ... claiming he doesn't agree with "anything" POTUS has been saying recently.

Remember, Rory and The Donald played a round of golf at Trump International in Florida together back in 2017 ... a move he defended as not "an endorsement nor a political statement of any kind."

While Rory praised Trump for being "charismatic" and "nice" on 'The McKellar' podcast this week ... he admits he will not hit the links with him again, despite several opportunities.

"Most people that he came across that day he was cordial to, he was nice and personable," McIlroy says. "That was my only interaction with him the day I had with him."

"But, that doesn’t mean that I agree with everything -- or in fact, anything -- that he says."

McIlroy then went IN on his former golf buddy for his handling of the coronavirus ... saying he's using the pandemic for his own political gain.

"We’re in the midst of something that’s pretty serious right now and the fact that he’s trying to politicize it and make it a campaign rally and say we’re administering the most tests in the world like it is a contest -- there’s something that just is terrible," McIlroy says.

"It’s not the way a leader should act. There’s a sort of diplomacy that you need to have, and I don’t think he’s showing that ... especially in these times."

Rory -- the #1-ranked golfer in the world -- says he wouldn't golf with Trump again if he had the chance ... but admits he probably won't get another opportunity.

"I don’t know if he’d want to play with me again after what I just said. But no, I wouldn't."

"The tournament had to be in Florida after Tom's [breaking and entering] arrest. With the ankle monitor, he couldn't leave the state."

Peyton Manning just ROASTED Tom Brady over his bungled April visit to Byron Leftwich's house ... and seriously, the clip is the funniest thing you'll see all day!!

Manning, Brady, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson all joined Ernie Johnson on Thursday to preview their charity golf match set for May 24 in Hobe Sound, Fla. ... and it didn't take long for the zingers to start flying.

Brady hit Manning with a joke about Archie Manning ... saying, "I actually thought I was going to be Tiger's partner. But then Peyton's dad called and switched the teams."

Funny, right!?!

Manning laughed ... and then dropped a HAMMER on the NFL's G.O.A.T. in return -- deciding to bust Brady's balls for accidentally barging into a Tampa resident's home last month!!

"Tiger and I talked to the sheriff in Tampa," Manning said, "[Tom's] going to be allowed to go to Palm Beach to play."

Of course, Brady took the ribbing in stride ... he cracked up over the jokes -- and even wrote on social media after, "Sorry not sorry..."

Gov. Ron DeSantis is bragging about opening up sports in FL -- and believes fans might be able to attend events as early as June!!

While speaking to the media about the state's plan to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, DeSantis talked about how sports are a huge priority for him ... starting with pro wrestling.

"I helped recruit," DeSantis said ... "I wanted the wrestling to be filmed in Orlando. I’d like them to do WrestleMania. They were going to do WrestleMania in April. That was hundreds of millions of dollars. I want to keep that good relationship. I want them to invest in Florida."

DeSantis also mentioned UFC 249 taking place in Jacksonville on may 9 -- noting, "There's not going to be any fans but I think that's going to be a good event for people."

As for golf ... "I work with Phil Mickelson so they have what they need for that Tiger Woods match."

Event officials have not formally announced the venue for that match, but DeSantis is obviously lobbying hard for a course in FL.

As for baseball ... DeSantis says he's "hearing" it's coming back soon and obviously wants games in Florida.

"I think that's going to be exciting for a lot of people and I just think there are going to be a lot of possibilities. So, let's just be resourceful and creative."

And fans? DeSantis is optimistic fans will be able to watch live sports again in his state in a matter of months.

"I do think if the trends are good as you get into June-July. I think there is a window to have some fans. You’re not going to have everyone packed in."

"But man, in 90-degree weather in the state of Florida ... if you're out there and someone's 10 feet away from you and you want to watch a ball game or something? You may be able to do that."

"It did not go well."

That's how Brooks Koepka's model GF described the way she cut the PGA Tour star's hair during quarantine ... and we gotta say, we agree -- but the whole process was at least funny as hell!!

The golf stud was in desperate need of a trim Thursday, so he handed over the clippers to Jena Sims ... and, after consulting with Koepka's barber and some YouTube vids, she went to work.

The problem? Things went sideways in a hurry ... Jena ended up quitting toward the end -- and the results of Koepka's new 'do were laughable.

In fact, in a FaceTime convo with Brooks' barber ... the haircut got compared to Jim Carrey's in "Me, Myself and Irene"!!!

Don't worry, Koepka is still hunky as hell ... with Jena herself even admitting Brooks was "still hot tho" despite the jacked-up cut.

And, it ain't like Koepka really needs a sweet look anyways ... the PGA Tour is suspended until at least June because of COVID-19 -- and even then, Brooks always rocks a Nike cap.

Plus, there's no way Koepka can be upset about the hair for too long ... 'cause how could you stay mad at this!?!??!