CHIP SHOTS

RICKIE'S DEALS

Rickie Fowler and Puma developed a hat with an "L" on the front to bring awareness and raise money for Lahaina and its slow recovery from the deadly Aug. 8 wildfires.

At Kapalua, gone were the logos of Farmers Insurance, Rocket Mortgage and Mercedes. Two of them will not be coming back, and one of those raises questions about the tournament at Torrey Pines.

"Farmers decided not to extend," Fowler said. "I think they have a new CEO and are downsizing. I don't know if they're going to do much in golf. They'll go with their contract in golf (Torrey Pines). I don't know if they'll extend on that."

Raul Vargas started as CEO at the start of 2023 and the company announced in August it would be laying off 11% of its workforce, or about 2,400 employees.

He said the Mercedes deal also expired, and that decision was made last May.

As for Rocket Mortgage, Fowler said the latest contract expired and they are finalizing plans on something new that wasn't quite done in time for the PGA Tour's season opener. Fowler ended a long drought last year by winning the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

DIVOTS: Chris Kirk has history on his side. Since the FedEx Cup began in 2007, only won winner at Kapalua failed to reach the Tour Championship. That was Daniel Chopra in 2008. ... Global investment firm Fir Hills, based in the Bay Area, will sponsor the LPGA Tour event in Los Angeles with Se Ri Pak as the host. The Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship will be March 21-24 at Palos Verdes Golf Club.

— Associated Press