Back to profile

Jim McCabe

Stories by Jim

Tease photo

Notes: Harmon says Johnson best when he 'rips it'

Coach Butch Harmon says he loves it when Dustin Johnson hits driver nearly everywhere. "Best club in his bag," says Tiger Woods' former coach. Johnson agrees, saying he gets in trouble when he tries to "steer it."

Tease photo

Preview: Can aging U.S. triumvirate still triumph?

Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk combined for a total of two PGA Tour victories in 2012, posing the question: Can they regain their old form?

Tease photo

Notebook: Snedeker's putter goes cold in second round

Notebook: Having posted a morning 70 to sit at 3 under, just one off the lead, Brandt Snedeker birdied four of the first six holes in the afternoon and at 6 under he shared the lead at one point, led by himself at another. Then, he stumbled backward.

Tease photo

Third time is a charm for Fowler, Hyundai field

Having originally been penciled in for a Monday finish, the season opener morphed into a Monday start thanks to unrelenting wind. Finally, on the fourth day, the fury gave everyone a break.

Tease photo

Trouble in paradise: Weather could push TOC to Tuesday

It’s as if Groundhog Day has arrived in paradise. The calendar says it’s Sunday, but it sure feels like Saturday. Or Friday. Wake up, feel the fury of wind, watch players walk around with long faces, listen to PGA Tour officials tell you play remains suspended.

Tease photo

Hyundai TOC scraps play for second straight day

For a second straight day, ferocious winds had forced PGA Tour officials to scrap play in the season-opener, the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

Tease photo

Hyundai TOC will start over after crazy winds halt play

Two hours into its 2013 season, the PGA Tour had to call things to a halt. Blame it on trouble in paradise – bizarre weather conditions that veteran residents of Maui insist they have never seen before.

Tease photo

Conn. native Henry will honor Sandy Hook victims

Connecticut native J.J. Henry, who grew up about 20 miles away from Newtown, will honor the 26 victims of the horrific Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting with 'S.H.E.S.' on the side of his hat.

Tease photo

Poulter believes he is more than a Ryder Cup hero

"He's a Ryder Cup hero. That defines who he is." Ian Poulter appreciates that notion, but feels that many ignore his success outside the biennial event.

Tease photo

Hyundai focuses on players who did make the trip

Hyundai executive: “The way that golf has changed, how many times they need to play . . . there’s not much we can do about that. But there’s a lot we like about this, and the field still is awfully good. So we don’t have any concerns."

Tease photo

2013 preview: What to watch for on the PGA Tour

Here is a wish as we sit on the threshold to the 2013 golf season: Don’t force the Rory McIlroy-Tiger Woods rivalry; let it happen. What else does our Jim McCabe think is on the horizon for the PGA Tour?

Tease photo

2013 preview: 10 PGA Tour players to watch

From the level of Anthony Kim's dedication to Steve Stricker's sudden schedule cutback to the looming battles between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, here are 10 players and their story lines to follow on the PGA Tour in 2013.

Tease photo

PGA Tour bests: Wins, tournaments and more

From Rickie Fowler's first PGA Tour victory to the beautiful walk that is Pebble Beach, our Jim McCabe gives you a series of bests from 2012 on Tour.

Tease photo

Whisper Rock: Camaraderie, modesty make unbeatable pairing

Its name is fitting, because as it sits amid a string of gems in an endless sea of golden sand, praise has come its way in respectful tones. Hushed, not loud. Unpretentious, not bodacious. Dignified, not flamboyant. Whispers.

Tease photo

McCabe: With Watson, PGA takes a gamble

Our Jim McCabe is conflicted, first wanting to applaud the PGA of America for making a bold decision, but also throwing some water on that fire, as the choice itself wasn't necessarily the right one.

Tease photo

My Year in Golf: Jim McCabe

Did two PGA of America staffers save the Ryder Cup for Europe? Just how did caddie Kip Henley deal with a gator on the course? Our Jim McCabe offers these snapshots from his past year on the road . . .

Tease photo

Year-in-review: Top 10 moments from PGA Tour

The 2012 PGA Tour season provided dozens of unforgettable highlights. Without time or space to detail all of them, here is one man’s choice of the top 10 . . .

Tease photo

Notes: Veterans Watson, O'Meara weigh in on anchoring

Feelings remain strong on both sides of the anchoring debate. Mark O'Meara and Tom Watson weigh in.

Tease photo

Globetrotters McDowell, Poulter have eyes on long break

Graeme McDowell fired a solid 3-under 69 on Thursday, but he says about 10 percent of his golf vigor is gone right now. He's a bit spent after a hectic 12-week stint during which he played in Dubai, China and the U.S. A 10-week break should fix that.

Tease photo

Kuchar relieved his putting stroke is not banned

Matt Kuchar didn't know if his unique stroke would be banned or not, but was all smiles on Wednesday after the R&A and USGA said his putting technique is fine moving forward.

Tease photo

Tour players will play by rules, albeit grudgingly

Initial reaction to the anchoring ban among prominent Tour winners who use long putters: We'll play by the rules, albeit grudgingly.

Tease photo

Woods weighs in on anchoring, victories and 2013

As victories go, Tiger Woods was more than happy to talk about the one that served as a bridge from a forgettable part of his career to something he’s more accustomed to.

Tease photo

If players fight anchoring ban, chaos could rule

PGA Tour players voice their concern and frustration about the proposed ban on anchoring.

Tease photo

Pepper cites 'perfect timing' for shift in career

Three days ago, Dottie Pepper officially was announced as an independent director with the PGA of America. She is convinced the timing is right to walk away from her job with NBC’s golf-coverage team.

Tease photo

Notes: PGA Tour need not worry about player exodus

It was only a handful of years ago that the world thought that the PGA Tour was in trouble and Europe would be the solution for the world's best golfers. Those predictions have proved fruitless.

Tease photo

Tour's Disney stop in need of sponsor

Jim McCabe says the PGA Tour's stop at Walt Disney World, which has been on the schedule since 1971, is in dire need of a sponsor.

Tease photo

LPGA legend Bradley, 61, takes on pilgrimage to Pyrenees

Emotions tugged her one way, but Pat Bradley followed her heart elsewhere. To be at the Ryder Cup in spirit for nephew Keegan was possible; to not be spiritual to herself was impossible, so for the first time in her life she made golf secondary and just walked away.

Tease photo

Notes: Disney tournament searching for a sponsor

Notebook: With the fall events taking on new importance for the 2013-14 season, the tournament at Disney is noticeably absent from the current schedule.

Tease photo

PGA Tour schedule for 2013 reflects year of change

At first glance, the PGA Tour's 2013 schedule might appear to be thinner. Look again, because it's a year of change.

Tease photo

Amid Bermuda scenery, Paddy wins Grand Slam

Amid the beautiful scenery of Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda, Padraig Harrington took home his first PGA Grand Slam title in three tries.

Tease photo

Watson wows in Bermuda with 'Bubba Golf'

Even when it is at its fascinating best, such as Tuesday’s first round of the 30th PGA Grand Slam of Golf, “Bubba Golf,” while thoroughly entertaining, is not as difficult to explain as regular golf.

Tease photo

Notes: Harrington gets a third chance at Grand Slam

Tthe Grand Slam of Golf isn’t like most tournaments, so when Ernie Els withdrew with an ankle injury, it started a whirlwind.

Tease photo

Race for the top 125 on Tour's money list heats up

From Davis Love III looking at his 27th consecutive top 125 to the likes of Arjun Atwal and Gary Woodland fighting to get inside that magic number, the PGA Tour's money list has plenty of storylines.

Tease photo

5 Things: Rose comes of age at Ryder Cup

Though Ian Poulter was the star of the European show, Justin Rose, who played in every Ryder Cup session, pulled off a singles win that catapulted his squad to an improbable victory.

Tease photo

Notes: McIlroy narrowly avoided forfeit at Medinah

According to Kerry Haigh, managing director of championships for the PGA of America, if Rory McIlroy was more than five minutes late to his Sunday singles match, he would have lost his match to Keegan Bradley.

Tease photo

Ryder Cup resume continues to build for Poulter

Ian Poulter is the emotional leader for the European squad, and his fiery play Saturday morning helped Europe salvage a point in the morning foursomes. Poulter is now 10-3 all-time in the Ryder Cup.

Tease photo

Tiger joins Lefty as leader in all-time U.S. losses

Notebook: Despite brilliant play down the stretch, Tiger Woods moves to 0-3 on the week and has 17 losses for his career, tied for the American worst with Phil Mickelson.

Tease photo

Notes: Mickelson wins twice for the first time

Notebook: Despite playing in every Ryder Cup since 1995, Phil Mickelson pulled off a personal first on Friday - he won twice in the same day with partner Keegan Bradley.

Tease photo

Rookie nerves? Bradley shines in Ryder Cup debut

Partnered with friend and mentor Phil Mickelson, Keegan Bradley makes a huge first impression by leading the U.S. duo to a huge 4-and-3 victory.

Tease photo

Notes: Opening with foursomes a positive for U.S.

Notes: The U.S. has had some luck opening with foursomes in recent Ryder Cup history and Davis Love is sticking with the tradition.

Tease photo

Ryder Cup success hinges on a 'captain' in each group

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. A dream pairing, right? Well, they lost their two matches as a Ryder Cup duo. And our Jim McCabe says that it was because both tried to be the alpha male. Europe doesn't have that problem. Each pair knows who is in charge.

Tease photo

'Overachiever' Poulter has trust of Euro teammates

Padraig Harrington says that Ian Poulter is "one of the guys who wants the ball when the clock's running down" at the Ryder Cup. His impressive resume at the biennial event backs up that lofty praise.

Tease photo

Notebook: Lawrie returns to Ryder Cup action

Notebook: Paul Lawrie last saw Ryder Cup action in 1999, but the rejuvenated Scotsman has used a stellar 2012 to add some experience to the European squad.

Tease photo

Notes: Plenty of eyes will be on Medinah this week

Notebook: While plenty of PGA Tour players have returned home after the playoffs, the likes of Adam Scott and Rickie Fowler will still keep their eyes peeled on the happenings at Medinah.

Tease photo

Garcia returns to where it all started: Medinah

Enigmatic Sergio Garcia returns to a happy place: Medinah, where his roller coaster began.

Tease photo

With one bad hole, Furyk goes from chased to chasing

Jim Furyk was in or tied for the lead for the majority of Saturday's third round at East Lake, but then a double-crossed tee shot at No. 17 led to triple bogey. One bad swing left him three shots back with 18 holes to go.

Tease photo

Notes: Tiger's trouble off the tee leads to 73

Notebook: Tiger Woods fires a 73 after struggling off the tee, while Bo Van Pelt quietly continues to hang around the top of the leaderboard.

Tease photo

Johnson has to call on long-time friend to caddie

Dustin Johnson had to make a call to the caddie bullpen on Friday, as his normal looper Bobby Brown exited with a back injury, and longtime friend Cameron Hooper climbed over the ropes to take over the duties.

Tease photo

Last player into the field, Piercy starts strong with 67

After an opening 67, Scott Piercy still knows that the FedEx Cup title is not likely in his future, but the last player to make the field at the Tour Championship is still making the most of getting to East Lake.

Tease photo

Notes: Little time left for Tour players to find top 50

On the eve of the Tour Championship, the most intriguing storylines are about those players closest to the No. 50 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking.