The Playbook | No. 41

You think you understand tournament golf until you’re walking inside the ropes.

From media choreography to fan energy to brand moments hiding in plain sight, this is what actually happens beyond the broadcast, and why operators should be paying attention to every detail.

The Playbook | Insider POV

Picture this: it’s a hot Sunday afternoon at Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Arizona. The sun is beating down on you, and you’ve been hoofin’ it all day. But you don’t care—because you’re in lockstep with the best players in the world, like Nelly Korda, Hyo Joo Kim, and Lydia Ko, to name a few.

That was our experience, as Terence and I watched the final moments unfold at the Ford Championship. It was every bit exhilarating as it was enlightening. Being inside the ropes as credentialed media shows you a different side of the game. You see the little things that you don’t pick up on TV, or even as a spectator in person. Let me explain.

We started our day on the practice range as the last few pairings warmed up, observing their intricate routines. Even to five-foot-nothing me, Nelly Korda isn’t as tall as she seems on TV, we laughed.

We studied their swings as they progressed through their bags, making ball contact we could only dream of. 

We turned around, and the fans were 4 rows deep, watching the women warm up. Their impact is real: Little girls with signs, local college students quietly taking notes, dads and daughters taking it all in. 

Then, it was time. We headed to the first tee to see Hyo Joo Kim and Nelly Korda—both past winners of the Ford Championship—tee off, Hyo Joo the defending champion and the winner of the prior week’s Fortinet Founders Cup.

Could she win in back-to-back weeks and defend her title? Could Nelly avenge last week’s loss to Hyo Joo? Terence stood down the line, and I lined up along the hillside. As Hyo Joo and Nelly teed off, we knew we were in for a special day.

We mosied around while the players attacked the front nine, conserving our energy in the blistering heat for the most pivotal moments of the tournament, including a stop at the tournament merchandise tent. A few takeaways: there were nice items, but it would be great to see a more curated collection for both women and men, and more collabs between unique brands and the LPGA.

We walked out to the famed 15th hole, a drop-shot par-3 with plenty of activity meant to attract even the most casual of golf fans.

Make a hole-in-one here?

The player wins a 2026 Ford Bronco, of course, and yes, that did happen for Nasa Hataoka on Saturday. A DJ, a slew of bars, putting areas for fans, and lots of shade, too. But the highlight?

The opportunity to take a ride on an off-road course in a Bronco, highlighting the rough terrain just off the 15th. While we didn’t do it, it looked like a heck of a time, showcasing one of the many ways the LPGA is expanding the fan experience.

We waited for the final pairing to arrive on the 15th, along with the dedicated gallery that came with it. We slipped under the ropes to join the throng of media in lockstep with Nelly and Hyo Joo. The lead was 4, and it looked like it was Hyo Joo’s for the taking, barring any craziness.

The biggest challenge? Staying out of sight of the broadcast cameras. This was a trick I learned during my PGA TOUR days. Even with 6 cameras or more swirling around, Hyo Joo and Nelly were locked in and in their own worlds—a true testament to why they are the best in the world.

One of the coolest moments was when we made our way from 17 green to 18 tee. There is no separation from fans and players as you walk underground through a tunnel and up to the tee box. To be in stride with the players whom you’ve only admired from afar for so long was a cool moment. 

But perhaps the coolest moments were those following Hyo Joo Kim’s winning putt. The way several of her LPGA peers, including Lydia Ko and Ina Yoon, stuck around to douse the now nine-time winner with champagne and water. The way the crowd warmly received Hyo Joo.

How the young ladies from Girls Golf Phoenix admired her during the trophy ceremony, perhaps a glimpse into their own futures. And Hyo Joo’s personality and sarcasm are revealed in her winner’s press conference.

Those are the little things you get to see when you get the honor to cover professional golf events. And at the Ford Championship, I truly felt so lucky.

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