18 thoughts, observations and predictions…
- Lilia Vu book-ended major wins in 2023 and won the Women’s Open by 6 and in the process ascended to number 1 in the Rolex rankings. Players may win more and earn more, but MOST would want her year.
- TPC Southwind is a dreadful golf course and its only hosting a playoff event because of the sponsor but the 18th has always been a compelling closing hole and with guys trying to advance to the BMW the hole was very good theatre.
- Walton Heath and Bel Air may be too short for the top professional men’s events, but what they may lack in length they make up for in thought, intrigue, and superior design elements.
- Charley Hull has always been twitchy on the golf course, but it’s gone to another level, yet she has a flair and aggressive style that makes her one of the most entertaining players in golf.
- Having a new set of irons delivered to your house is the greatest grown up present ever conceived.
- Rich Lerner anchored the coverage of the U.S. Women’s Amateur for Golf Channel/NBC. He’s the heartbeat of the GC shop. Superior essayist, consummate studio host and passionate pursuer of the stories you’ll be thrilled to learn.
- After spending four days at Chambers Bay setting up the course for elite juniors it is a rightful host of championship amateur golf despite having a few awful holes.
- The excerpt from Billy Walters’ new book “Gambler” that alleges Phil Mickelson wanted to wager on U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2012, raises many questions for him to answer, and also all the leading organizations in golf.
- Rachel Heck is as delightful a young player with game, personality and ambition that make her wildly appealing.
- Nelly Korda rarely looks happy playing golf in 2023.
- Eric Cole going from where he’s played professionally before 2023 to being exempt into the tour’s signature series in 2024 is a sneaky great story of keeping the dream alive.
- The only reason the future of the Tour Championship at East Lake is appealing is because Andrew Green is going to do a complete renovation of the golf course.
- Cherry Hills underwent a significant golf course and clubhouse renovation, and it will look sensational this week for the U.S. Amateur. The wonderful stream system has been reclaimed and the routing of the course is outstanding.
- The forecasted U.S. Ryder Cup team is murkier now than it was a week ago. The last three spots are a grab bag of at least five players.
- Lucas Glover is the best late season story since the 2007 New York Giants.
- Scottie Scheffler is having the greatest ball striking and worst putting season combined in tour history.
- Memphis hot is worse than Vegas hot, Scottsdale hot, and Dallas hot. Its Malaysia-like wet heat.
- Lucas Glover is currently a more reliable putter than half of the projected U.S. Ryder Cup team, actually, more than half.