Puma had scripted Fowler to wear blue on Thursday but he chose yellow after Lyle passed away Wednesdaygetty images
GOLF.com's Sean Zak noted Rickie Fowler during the first round at the PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club "wore a greenish-yellow" Puma shirt in "honor of the late Jarrod Lyle, who passed away Wednesday" after three battles with leukemia. Fowler was "scripted to wear blue, but elected for the yellow to help celebrate Lyle's life, something he and fellow pros have enjoyed doing this week" (GOLF.com, 8/9). ESPN.com's Bob Harig noted Fowler also "made Lyle's trademark 'Leuk the Duck' pin prominent on the front of his hat." The pin has been "associated with an organization called Challenge that supports children with cancer." Lyle, who was "first diagnosed as a teenager, was a big backer of the program" (ESPN.com, 8/9).
NEW ACCESSORY: GOLF DIGEST's Keely Levins noted Rory McIlroy on his right forearm during Thursday's first round wore StaminaPro, a "flesh-colored patch of tape." He is "not the first golfer to apply this type of tape to his body during competition." StaminaPro is the "same tape that Tony Finau used after awkwardly falling and injuring his ankle during the Par 3 contest" at The Masters. StaminaPro on their website said the patch is "useful for inflammation, fatigue, and the kinds of tension and aches and pains that dedicated athletes tend to suffer from" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 8/9).
ON THE UPSWING: In N.Y., Lisa Fickenscher cites NPD Group data showing sales of golf equipment grew by 8% to $2.5B in the 12 months ending in June. This comes after "several years of declines with major sports equipment retailers and manufacturers exiting the business." Sales last year declined by 6% as golfers "scooped up huge deals when Sports Authority and Golfsmith liquidated" (N.Y. POST, 8/10).
