PGA Tour exploring deals to provide live tournament data to betting operators

PGA TOUR players hit vintage clubs at Northern Trust Open

April 7, 2016

Pro golfs top association appears to be adopting an if you cant beat em, join em approach regarding the online sports betting industry.

On Thursday, Bloomberg News reported that the PGA Tour had issued a request for proposals (RFP) for sports data companies to submit bids on providing real-time tournament info to online sports betting operators.

The RFP document viewed by Bloomberg states that the PGA Tour continues to explore the risk/return trade-off associated with potential entry into the online sports gaming category. The RFP also seeks to explore other financial upside options, including revenue/profit sharing or equity deals.

The RFP said it would evaluate all responses before determining a course of action. A spokesman told Bloomberg that the Tour was far away from any kind of deal while insisting that the Tour issues such RFPs all the time.

Among the companies reportedly vying for the PGA Tour data contract are WME/IMG, which holds exclusive rights to official ATP/WTA tennis data, and Sportradar, which provides data on a variety of sports to bookmakers around the globe.

Other pro sports bodies have ventured down this data road before, only to retreat at the last minute. Last April, the National Football League inked a data deal with a US affiliate of Sportradar, but clamped down hard in November after that same affiliate promoted an in-play DFS app that vowed to eventually launch full sports betting for cash (in territories where authorized).

The PGA has a complicated relationship with the betting industry. In September, the PGA formally prohibited its members from endorsing or playing on daily fantasy sports sites, based on the PGAs belief that DFS sites are considered illegal in many states and thus PGA members participation in DFS contests amounted to conduct unbecoming of a professional.

Some PGA members are more, er, professional than others in terms of their approach to betting. Phil Mickelson is notorious for his betting activity with other PGA members and (allegedly) with illegal online sportsbooks.

Golfs gatekeepers are undoubtedly aware of their sports waning popularity with younger demographics, and the expectation appears to be that in-play betting would give golfs appeal a badly needed boost among the mobile betting set.

Source: http://calvinayre.com/2016/04/07/business/pga-tour-exploring-live-tournament-data-betting-deals/

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Fabian Gomez Wins His 1st Career PGA Tour Title at St. Jude

Winning the first PGA Tour title of his career at the St. Jude Classic isn't enough to earn Fabian Gomez a trip to the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.

Being fully exempt through the 2016-17 season is more than enough.

"Winning a tournament is a big thing because you have two-year exemption and after that probably play a little less stressful every week and not thinking too much 'Keep your card,' you know," Gomez said Sunday after winning the St. Jude Classic. "Just only win another tournament."

Gomez knows personally how tough it can be to keep that tour card. He was on tour in 2011 and 2013 before having to earn his card back for 2014-15 by playing on the Web.com Tour. Now the 36-year-old from Argentina has some breathing room now that he turned his piece of the lead after the third round into a four-stroke win that was the biggest at this event, sponsored by FedEx, since Brian Gay won by five in 2009.

"Even if I won many tournaments, winning here on the PGA Tour is something amazing, and I'm going to enjoy the moment with my family," Gomez said through a translator.

Gomez finished at 13-under 267 with four straight rounds in the 60s, including a 4-under 66 Sunday. He came into the final round sharing the 54-hole lead with Greg Owen of England, the second such lead of his career. Unlike the 2013 Puerto Rico Open where he finished tied with Jordan Spieth for second, Gomez carded a five birdie-one bogey round for his first PGA title in his 70th start.

That earned him a $1.08 million winner's check and a spot as the fifth PGA Tour winner from Argentina, joining Jose Coceres, Angel Cabrera, Andres Romero and Roberto De Vicenzo.

"That list for me is an honor, and we share many, many weeks with Andres, Angel," Gomez said. "When they play on the tour the same week with me, we share some barbecue. We had one last night, and I know that they are going to be happy for this situation right now."

Owen, who finished with a 70, said he just didn't play well enough to beat Gomez.

"I think he hit every fairway," Owen said. "You've got to hit the fairways out here. The flags are tucked. ... He just played solid. His distance control was good, and he was under control and couple of shots I couldn't match him."

Phil Mickelson remains winless since the 2013 British Open as he tied for third (65-272). He finished with a flourish, rolling in a 25-footer for birdie that nearly lipped out on No. 18. Mickelson finished tied with Seung-Yul Noh (65), Michael Thompson (66), Matt Jones (68) and Brooks Kopeka (70).

Boo Weekley (65), Billy Horschel (65), Russell Knox (66) and Chad Campbell (68) all tied for seventh at 273.

Mickelson used this event at TPC Southwind, sponsored by FedEx, to tune up his game for the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in Washington. He carded eight birdies Sunday with three bogeys and says he got the confidence boost he wanted.

"I'm feeling a lot better about heading into the U.S. Open after this week than I did after last," Mickelson said.

This event belonged to Gomez who honed his game with tips from his mentor along with playing many rounds with Cabrera. He already had won twice on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica in Buenos Aires in 2013 and 2014.

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/fabian-gomez-wins-1st-career-pga-tour-title-31767422

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