PGA Tour Notebook: Deadline for players to make Masters coming fast

 

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Harris English and others have two weeks to get into the top 50 and play in the Masters. 

 

The cutoff for the top 50 is after the Valero Texas Open next week. English made a big move last week with a 65 in the final round to tie for 10th, and he went up eight spots to No. 52. But it's still a long road – maybe longer to get those final two spots. 

 

The gap between English (52) and Jason Dufner (50) is equal to the gap between English and Francesco Molinari (No. 64). A lot can happen. 

 

Marc Warren of Scotland is at No. 51. Others not yet eligible for the Masters are Alexander Levy of France (53), Andy Sullivan of England (58), Tommy Fleetwood of England (62), Graham DeLaet of Canada (63) and Molinari. 

 

BAY HILL GREENS: This isn't as bad as when Quail Hollow lost its greens two years ago, or the time East Lake's greens were so stressed in 2009 for the Tour Championship that officials had only about 4 square feet for pin positions. 

 

But the putting surfaces are rough for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and Bay Hill plans to do something about it. 

 

The club said an upgrade just six years ago "did not meet an anticipated level of excellence," and they will be switched to TifEagle Bermuda during a summer project. 

 

They might not look good on television, but tour officials and some players said they wouldn't be that bad. 

 

The new grass will be installed with the "no till method," meaning that the features and contours will be preserved. The project is to start in May and is expected to be completed by early August. 

 

BUBBA AND THE KIDS: Bubba Watson was at Augusta National last year for the inaugural Drive, Chip & Putt Championship on Sunday before the Masters, and seven days later he won the green jacket. Now, the Masters champion is headed to New York to help promote the event for children ages 7 through 15. 

 

Watson and will join Kelly Xu, who won the 7-9 Girls Division last year, in promoting the finals on April 5 and local qualifying for the 2016 event. 

 

Watson will appear on "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon on Monday, and then Watson and Xu will be guests on "CBS This Morning," "SportsCenter" and Golf Channel next Tuesday before ending their media tour at The New York Stock Exchange. 

 

"I'm a big, big believer in the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship," Watson said. "I can't think of a better way for a youngster to learn and get better at the game of golf and do it while having fun and building relationships. That's what golf is ultimately all about for me, and it's why I'm going to New York City next week with Kelly." 

 

DIVOTS: Jupiter Hills Club in south Florida has been selected to host the 2018 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship. The champion makes its debut this year at Olympic Club the first week in May. Billy Mayfair won the 1987 U.S. Amateur at Jupiter Hills. ... Masters champion Bubba Watson is returning to China next month to play the inaugural Shenzhen International. The European Tour event is a week after Watson tries to defend his title at Augusta National. Watson won the HSBC Champions in Shanghai last November. ... As expected, the Frys.com Open is returning to Silverado Resort for the start of the 2015-16 season. Sang-Moon Bae won at Silverado last year. Rory McIlroy, and Tiger Woods depending on his status, are expected to play the Frys.com Open this year. 

 

STAT OF THE WEEK: PGA Tour events have gone to a playoff four consecutive weeks, including the Puerto Rico Open. The last time the tour had five straight weeks of playoffs was in 1946.