18 thoughts, observations and predictions…
- November golf is sneaky sensational in the south. First freeze gives you dormant fairways and low humidity firmness across all the turf conditions.
- Padraig Harrington is a true star on PGA Tour Champions and he’s undeniably one of the five most engaging talkers in the game. On virtually any topic.
- Eric van Rooyen won with an eagle and returns to the winner’s circle after injury and a build back. He was considered a Presidents Cup hopeful four years ago and may be again.
- Excellent reporting from Eamon Lynch of Golfweek on the handful of private equity groups that are bidding on PGA Tour investment. It only amplifies that the framework agreement with the Saudi Public Investment Fund is hanging by a thread.
- The PGA Tour’s decision to let members participate in LIV’s qualifying event in December is practical on many fronts. There is no need to be territorial right now and even if the deal doesn’t get consummated the two tours will need to find a détente. This is a start.
- No Jon Rahm in the TGL means nothing more to me than a guy who doesn’t want to fly to south Florida a handful on Mondays before the first major of the year.
- Justin Suh is part of the Hovland, Morikawa, Wolff class and it’s taken him longest but he’s made 28 cuts since last fall and added another Top 5 this year to his resume. He’s going to win in 2024.
- Maverick McNealy returned this week after a long rehab from injury. He becomes more valuable with every Top 10 and him winning will make him a huge asset because he’s as impressive a young man as the tour has to offer.
- Bernard Langer finished in a tie for 2nd at the TimberTech Championship. His 46 wins all-time are truly absurd. Equally absurd are his 41 seconds!!
- The DP World Tour has the Nedbank Golf Challenge this week and Max Homa and Justin Thomas are in the field. It is great to see two top Americans exercise the opportunity to take their wives and go on safari but winning globally has always been true of the best players of each generation. Even when travel was much more challenging.
- Playing Sweetens Cove on Monday for the first time. The owners and King/Collins have created a cult following and a full review of the day and the experience coming next week.
- Played Lookout Mountain Golf Club on Sunday. The story of the Seth Raynor plans and the long road to where they find themselves today is amazing. What Tyler Rae and Kyle Franz have uncovered will be rightfully applauded and the profile of the club will skyrocket in the next year.
- It was great to run into Andy Johnson at Lookout Mountain. What he and Brendan Porath have built at the Fried Egg is inspiring and important. They pursue thoughtful and smart discovery and examination in the game, every single day.
- Rory McIlroy is starting his year in the Middle East on the DP World Tour, meaning he will miss the first “Signature” event at Kapalua. Maui has not been a regular stop for Rory but the Signature series can’t afford wholesale absences throughout 2024 for the top players.
- Appreciate the supportive feedback for the conversation with Brittany Horschel on alcoholism and recovery. I will continue to discuss the vital subject regarding my own journey and others willing to share to hopefully help others.
- Mackenzie Hughes’ Top 10 enhanced his chances of gaining entry to the first two signature events of 2024 on the mainland. Those starts are a HUGE boast to start the season.
- I think it’s necessary for me to play Calusa Pines this winter. I heard it mentioned today and I’m making that declaration now.
- I am playing Old Town this week for the first time. Perry Maxwell with TLC from Coore/Crenshaw. I have a feeling it’s going to make a hell of an impression.