18 observations, thoughts and predictions for the week in golf…
- The report from James Corrigan in the Telegraph this past week pretty eliminates any doubt as to whether the best European players, starting with Jon Rahm, will be on the Euro side at Bethpage in September of 2025. Guy Kinnings of the DP World Tour shared the details of the parameters in place that allows for Rahm and Tyrell Hatton to make the side. It also simply amplifies what we already knew from the moment Rory McIlroy laid down his marker upon Rahm’s departure for LIV. When Rory said Rahm would be at Bethpage he was going to be at Bethpage.
- As we head into the month of May and the PGA on the horizon two weeks from Thursday, I believe the PGA of America would like to have a different narrative pre-championship than they had last year with a great deal of focus on exemptions, world rankings and LIV. I believe they would like to introduce Tiger Woods as the Ryder Cup captain for next year. As I wrote during Masters week it’s a possibility, he will accept the post and his relationship with Seth Waugh really matters as the PGA tries to convince Tiger to take on the task. The PGA would get a pre-championship jolt if that news were shared but it’s a tricky balance from their stage and not trying to upstage themselves with their (PGA) other crown jewel.
- Its crystal clear that players formerly playing on the PGA Tour who were born outside the United States and Europe will not be on the International Presidents Cup Team. Even a win for any top American who plays on LIV in one of the last three majors of the year I do not think will matter in the way it did for Brooks Koepka last year. Unless the tour and LIV make enormous progress toward an agreement, I do not see a way for a tour property to be inclusive of a “former” member. As an aside, the United States is walking into a buzzsaw of an environment in Montreal in September and any ambivalence on their part will be met with a beating.
- Joel Dahmen was rocking the bucket hat with the crown of the hat cut out at the Zurich Classic. Is it a “Vucket” hat or a “Bizor”. I prefer vucket but he did not invent the style like Payne Stewart did with the sleeveless rainwear at the 1999 U.S. Open. Kip Henley, long time caddy on tour came up with the cut-out top of the bucket hat years ago. Dahmen, whichever hat he’s wearing, looks trimmed down and as fit as I’ve ever seen.
- Conference champions were crowned in men’s college golf this past week and several things appear clear. The SEC, like football, could see one of several schools win a national title. Jackson Koivun, Auburn’s freshman individual conference title holder, is a very special talent. Poise, process and execution. He could win the individual NCAA title in several weeks and it will be the furthest thing from an upset.
- LIV golf has clearly found a captive audience for their product in Adelaide. Estimates of crowds close to 100,000 were lathered up for the three days of competition but this is not a surprise. Australia is a fantastic sporting nation starved to see the best players in the world. There are currently few other places in the world quite like Australia and LIV would be best served to have additional events there if the goal is big crowds, plus so many wonderful courses. I’m curious to see what kind of a crowd they can draw with their Nashville event the week after the U.S. Open in Pinehurst.
- The historic clubs have all done wonderful jobs gathering and presenting their own history in the form of decorative books. Olympic Club is soon to release their own with the great writer Jaime Diaz contributing the bulk of the written word. Chicago Golf Club has just made their wonderful history available in a book titled “The Prairie Raynor”. A collaboration between John Moran, the club’s historian and Dr. Rand Jerris has produced a stunning book of photographs, illustrations and essays to celebrate one of true originals in every way. If you can find a way to secure one, I highly recommend it.
- In the aftermath of Nelly Korda and Scottie Scheffler’s latest wins last week I penned a piece at www.5Clubsgolf.com about the appealing nature of athletes in any sport separating themselves. What I also heard a fair amount of this week was gimmicky and contrived ways to get them on the same course immediately. One, the best way to derail any streak is to alter their routines including doing some Amazon Prime under the lights hit and giggle. Secondly, they are most interesting when they are beating their competition and to suggest an exhibition with them chirping the whole time as a marketable item would also suggest you were not a marketing major. What they do and where they do it is the answer to what stage they should be on for the foreseeable future.
- For the first six years of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, utilizing the team format I have advocated for the better ball format to be used on Friday and Sunday. I’ve been converted to the alternate shot format for the final day. In the absence of so many top players in the field and many guys trying to win for the first time I am all for the discomfort of the next shot being yours. Finding rhythm is hard enough when you’re trying to win for the first time on your own ball but the prospect of living and dying with another player with modest tour accomplishments is compelling.
- Yuto Katsuragawa has Japan on a roll. Keita Nakajima won the recent Hero Indian Open and with additional wins from Japanese born players on the DP World Tour the nation is currently cresting with male accomplishment. Include the most recent win from Hideki Matsuyama and you have the makings for a memorable stretch for a golf crazy nation.
- Rory McIlroy simply being in the Zurich classic field was going to be a win for the event. For the team of McIlroy and Lowry to contend the whole week made it even easier for fans to make the choice to follow the twosome later in the day over the weekend. As Colt Knost said on the broadcast Sunday, he had never seen crowds that size there before. Not even close. When legit stars add spots on the schedule for the first time the tournament organizers then root quietly but desperately for them to win in hopes they may return.
- The CJ groups investment in golf is to be applauded. They support players with sponsorship deals and put their name as a title sponsor as well and now they’ve taken over the event in Dallas that is simply known as “The Nelson”. Here is hoping that Byron Nelson’s name which remains in the new branding has staying power. Bing Crosby and Bob Hope eventually saw their names fade away at iconic events but while they contributed to golf, they were not one of its all-time legends. Byron Nelson is and let’s make sure it stays on the marquee in perpetuity.
- Golf Digest released their latest installment in their series, “All 18 Holes”. This episode gives the viewer a wonderful tutorial from Gil Hanse on his design of the Ohoopee Match Club in Cobb Town, GA. The land is a rugged and sandy tapestry that is eroded in the most beautiful way and the golf course is so balanced with the looks and visuals. You get low country, sand belt, sand hills and scrub oaks akin to Pine Valley. The club is wonderful in so many ways and the Digest aerials give it an appropriate tribute.
- If North Carolina is going to get that elusive national championship in men’s golf this is the year. They won the ACC title in match play over Florida State for the first time since 2006. Similarly, to Vanderbilt, the Heels have players with a ton of accomplishment and experience. It’s time.
- Northwestern has produced some very fine players through the last two decades but Mike Small’s Illinois men’s program has dominated the Big 10 conference. This week Northwestern won the Big 10 title at famed Scioto. The Wildcat athletic program has seen an awakening from their basketball program under Chris Collins after a decades long slumber and the football program is amid a stadium rebuild that will create one of the finest collegiate stadiums in America that is a privately funded project led by the Ryan family. Men’s golf though is alive and well in Evanston.
- My favorite part of handling all the postgame shows for Zurich on the PGA Tour radio network on SiriusXM was hearing all the interviews with the teams after their rounds. My highlights include David Skinns sharing that he was perplexed by the Falcons taking Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the NFL draft. Skinns has a friend on the Falcons staff so he’s a fan. Secondly, hearing Ryan Brehm and Mark Hubbard express their genuine love for each other and how much they value the time together was simply fantastic.
- I don’t think I could think of a weirder way for two guys to enter a playoff. Post a low score three hours before the event ends and then go back out against the biggest star in the field playing alternate shot. Bizarro.
- Rory should have all Zurich insurance policies he wants for life. What a dream for the sponsor and he declared they are coming back in 2025.