Some tidpits from the 20th Hole

Scheffler wins the American Express PGA Event.

There aren’t any more superlatives that you can ascribe to Scottie Scheffler.  He won this event as if he was playing by himself on a Sunday afternoon.  His attitude and demeanor are completely focused on getting the best out of himself.  The golfing world is now trying to compare him to Tiger Woods and Scheffler scoffs that the comparison is ridiculous.  He doesn’t subscribe to being compared with others and has the utmost respect for the greatness of Woods.  Scheffler looks unbeatable but he has accepted the idea that he gives it 100% every time out and let the results speak for themselves.  He had a miserable Ryder Cup, and to his credit, acknowledged the result but the game of golf produces the results it produces–Scheffler brings it 100% no matter what.

Patrick Reed defects from LIV Golf and Rejoins PGA Tour

Patrick Reed has rejoined the PGA Tour and will be eligible to compete on the Tour by August, 2026.  In the meantime, he may become eligible to compete in some DP World events (formerly the European Tour).  Reed joins Brooke Koepka in rejoining the tour from LIV.  The financial penalties extracted from the defected players are pretty substantial but some of these guys are beginning to recognize that they have to rejoin a Tour that provides the competitive edge required to achieve an elite status in the game.  Reed who is a Masters Champion and a Ryder Cupper has been a controversial figure on Tour, but seeks to reestablish his reputation as an elite player.

LIV–What Happens Next

LIV will continue its tour activities well into the future as Saudi Arabia will continue to use golf as part of its general sportswashing efforts which include boxing, MMA, Formula I and others.  Financial resources are no issue for this effort.  LIV has been unable to attract the golf fan to the concept of professional team golf and has never educated the public golf fan.  Broadcasts are inane with background music cutting into golf commentary such that the fan has really no idea what is going on.  The major players of LIV–Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm have doubled down to support LIV along with players such as Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelsen, Sergio Garcia, Cameron Smith and a host of others.  It seems that LIV is committed to more of the same–large financial commitments and losses, little to no TV coverage, confusing competitive formats showcased by some very good players.  If LIV could mirror the PGA Tour, we might end up with a unified tour some day but that day is not in the near future.

TGL Season

Rory McIlroy’s team won handily on Monday and Rory has certainly figured the tricky chipping surfaces at the SOFI complex.  The highlight of the year is Justin Rose’s albatross in the preceding week.  An albatross on a simulator–first in history–Justin has never had one on the golf course.

20th Hole Tips for the Week

–Count the putts in your round and analyze the misses as to which side of the hole-check alignment and angle the putter slightly outside to in–putts should straighten out

–Count the number of missed shots to your standard and work on eliminating those misses through practice–practice with a purpose

–Vokey wedges–check them out–I love them.