The Daily Drive is a reader supported newsletter. Your paid subscription can help sustain our full-time coverage of golf.
Dan Hicks was a well-liked and respected staple of NBC’s golf coverage (Tracy Wilcox/PGA Tour via Getty Images)
As the tributes poured in Thursday following the shocking news that well-respected NBC broadcaster Dan Hicks had passed away suddenly at age 64 from an acute illness, the mind immediately darted to one of his most iconic and remembered golf calls: Tiger Woods’ 72nd-hole at the 2008 U.S. Open.
It was there where Hicks, in his almost universally understated way, shined in the most intense of moments, as Woods rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th green at Torrey Pines to tie Rocco Mediate and force an 18-hole playoff the following day.
“Expect anything different?” Hicks exclaimed as Woods roared and celebrated amidst the raucous cheers with his caddie, Steve Williams, and fan delirium enveloping the scene as one of Woods’ most remarkable career moments played out.
The next day, alongside analyst Johnny Miller, Hicks would calls Woods’ 14th major victory as he defeated Mediate in a playoff that went to 19 holes.
Hicks — whose sudden and shocking death was announced in a statement from his wife, sportscaster Hannah Storm — was there for a lot of Woods’ greatness as well as many big golf moments.
Statement from Dan Hicks’ wife, sportscaster Hannah Storm
The 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black. He was on the call when Woods captured his 80th PGA Tour title at the 2018 Tour Championship. He worked every Ryder Cup since 2002.
In addition to working as NBC Sports’ lead golf commentor since 2000, Hicks called swimming and skiing at the Olympics — most memorable Michael Phelps’ remarkable 23 swimming gold medals including a record eight in the 2008 Beijing Games — and returned in 2024 to Notre Dame football, where he called the game against Stanford on Oct. 10. He had been scheduled for Saturday’s Notre Dame-Boston College broadcast.
Also in today’s DD …
Teenager Blades Brown earns big rewards with his PGA Tour victory
Rory McIlroy shares thoughts on DeChambeau’s future ‘options’
WTGL releases expanded roster of league sponsors
Hicks, 64, was known for setting up his analysts in the golf broadcast booth, first Miller for 19 years, followed by Paul Azinger and then more recently Kevin Kisner and others. He worked the Tour Championship for NBC in late August and also called the Presidents Cup at Medinah in September.
He was, as they say, a pro’s pro and hailed for his abilities as both a play-by-play announcer, a host and as a reporter. There was no indication that Hicks was slowing down or not planning on being part of the golf world for years to come.
On Golf Channel Thursday morning, his colleagues were tasked with reporting on the death of a friend. Rich Lerner artfully handled the somber duties, bringing long-time Hicks friend Jimmy Roberts into the studio. They went remotely to other broadcasters, including Roger Maltbie, who said: “This is not losing a colleague and a nice guy, this is losing a pal.”
Blades Brown has grown quickly into a bona fide tour star (Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
Blades Brown cashes in on some major perks
Blades Brown became the fourth-youngest winner in PGA Tour history — and youngest since 1931 — when he captured the World Wide Technology Championship on Sunday in a sudden-death playoff over Ben James.
The victory gives Brown, 19, a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour through the launch of the Championship Series in 2028. But there’s plenty for Brown to still play for in the final two weeks of the FedEx Cup Fall part of the schedule. He’s competing at this week’s Austin Championship and is also entered into next week’s 2026 finale at the RSM Classic.
The victory in Mexico elevated Brown as a regular member of the PGA Tour, thus meaning that all the points he earned this year as a non-member and then a special temporary member (other than the opposite Puntacana event) now count on the FedEx Cup points list. He’s moved into 59th position in the FedEx Fall standings, which means he’s in line to get starts at two signature events — at Pebble Beach and Riviera in early 2027 — if he stays in the top 60.
The win also gets him into the 2027 Players Championship and PGA Championship.
Another goal? Getting into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking by the end of the year. He is No. 62 now and would get a Masters invite if he can climb into the top 50.
“I have reached all of the goals that I set for this year,” said Brown, who turned pro at age 17. “Thinking back of when I started, I remember I started in the Bahamas on the Korn Ferry Tour. To think that now I’m full status for the next two years on the PGA Tour is pretty special. My goal was to get my PGA Tour card and then to win was kind of a bonus. So I’m extremely grateful and looking forward to this week.”
As for the Masters, Brown said he could not help but add that to teenager bucket list now.
“I would like to play Augusta next year, that is definitely one of my big goals,” he said. “But the thing about goals is, I was reading this book called ‘Atomic Habits.’ What I really liked about it was goals give me a sense of direction and systems are what allow you to reach those directions.
“If you’re climbing up Mount Everest you just say, ‘I’m going to get to the top.’ Well, you’re still way at the bottom. The next step there is to step one foot in front of the other and before you know it you’re at the peak, you’re at your goal. That’s one thing that really helps me.”
If he is unable to crack the top 50 by the end of the year, Brown would also have until the week prior to the Masters in 2027 to move up or win a qualifying PGA Tour event to get there.
McIlroy riffs on DeChambeau’s future ‘options’
Bryson DeChambeau was intentionally vague of “whatever is next” in his social media statement last week. With LIV Golf winding down, the two-time U.S. Open champion’s competitive options are limited.
He can’t play on the PGA Tour — unless the Tour carves out some sort of deal — in 2027 due to suspension. He can take up membership on the DP World Tour next season due to his 2024 U.S Open victory. Or he could make his own career path and simply become a full-time YouTuber golfer.
Rory McIlroy — the closest thing DeChambeau has to a rival after splitting their duels at the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst and 2025 Masters — has some thoughts about the polarizing star golfer.
“Yeah, look, I think a name like Bryson DeChambeau and everything he brings with him, good and bad, he brings eyeballs, which is a good thing for tournaments,” McIlroy said in Dubai ahead of the DP World Tour Championship.
“And honestly, look, I’m certainly not in his shoes, and nor would I ever want to be. But it doesn’t seem like he’s got many options. You know, if he wants to play competitive golf, it doesn’t seem like he’s got many options.”
WTGL adds new partners to TGL sponsor ranks
WTGL, the new women’s team simulator golf league from TMRW Sports in partnership with the LPGA, announced its roster of partners for the league’s inaugural season, with two brands entering new partnerships across both leagues.
“The response from brands to WTGL reinforces the opportunity we see to build a distinctive platform around the world’s best women golfers,” said Jason Langwell, chief revenue officer, TMRW Sports. “We are proud that so many TGL partners are expanding their commitment to WTGL, while new partners are choosing to join both leagues. Together, this group will help us create meaningful fan experiences and establish a strong commercial foundation for WTGL’s inaugural season and beyond.”
In addition to the 12 brands with existing TGL relationships that extended their partnerships to WTGL for its inaugural season, Topgolf and Go Rentals joined the roster.
Topgolf will bring WTGL and TGL presented by SoFi experiences to Topgolf venues and Toptracer Range facilities around the world, including opportunities to play official competition holes, attend watch parties and participate in promotions and exclusive experiences tied to the leagues’ upcoming seasons.
WTGL will use Go Rentals as the exclusive provider of rental vehicles for players, TMRW Sports employees, investors and team executives for matches and other WTGL operational needs.
WTGL returns to action on Monday night (8 p.m., Ion) with Motor City (1-0) against Boston Common.