18 thoughts, observations and predictions…
- The Lexi Thompson invite seemed ill timed and clunky considering the season that she’s had on the LPGA, but she was compelling and competitive, and she deserves big credit for all of it.
- The merits for a mixed event were already there and should not be predicated on ONE female player being competitive in a men’s event. Find the right facility in the middle of the season to accommodate hosting men and women simultaneously, its overdue.
- Eric Cole is a professional golfer in the purest way. He’s always wanted to play for a living and finally given the opportunity he’s thrived on the best tour in the world. He would have fit in at the time his dad played the tour. No weeks off.
- Talor Gooch is not a top 10 player in the world. I’m not sure where he falls in the world rankings, I suppose in the top 25, but he’s getting paid like a top 10 quarterback in the NFL.
- Ludvig Aberg is a plow mule. Forget that he’s young and full of energy, he can’t help himself when it comes to competing. He insists on contending no matter the venue. That is an uncommon trait.
- Guys playing for spots in Signature events for early 2024 is the kind of inside golf nerdiness that we all need to watch events coming down the stretch on Sundays up against the NFL.
- Angel Yin getting her first win on the LPGA by going through Lilia Vu in a playoff is the very best way to break into the winner’s circle.
- Alan Shipnuck’s new book, “LIV and let Die” about the last year of turbulence in the professional game is interesting.The tension, friction and battle lines doesn’t make people look less appealing; it just makes them human.I recommend the book if you like professional golf.
- Sean McDonough is a generational broadcaster and hearing him on the NHL and college football this past week reminded me how his voice is missed during the major championship season.
- Playing Shinnecock this past week reaffirmed my belief that along with Oakmont they are the best and sternest championship venues America can offer the world.
- Fishers Island is a singular experience from the boat ride to the Raynor template holes to the panoramic joyride from 1 through 18.
- National Golf Links of America on a fall afternoon with knee-high fescue providing glorious contrast to the hurling fairways along the Peconic Bay is the finest golf day imaginable.
- Tiger Woods hit a few wedges on video this past week at the Hay at Pebble Beach and they were analyzed like swings of players playing closing holes in majors. He’s still the needle.
- Jon Rahm playing in Spain is an inspiring thing and is not dissimilar from Americans supporting tour events in their home states.
- There have been plenty of plugged in pundits who have predicted the demise of LIV since before it began. It’s not going anywhere soon.
- It’s the start of the winter season in south Florida and the proliferation of new courses in Martin County plus the new Coore & Crenshaw course at McArthur and the first full season at The Park in West Palm makes it a winter wonderland of golf.
- Tom Kim is a star. Three wins already and an infectious manner, plus the superstars of the game love his company. He’s a real asset for the PGA Tour.
- Playing Old Barnwell this Friday, the new offering outside of Aiken, South Carolina. Hearing great things and will provide a thorough recap next week.