18 thoughts, observations and predictions…
- Ludvig Aberg has done more to legitimize PGA Tour U than any million-dollar ad campaign. Plus, he may have just influenced a few college players to pass on potential LIV dollars. I said MAY HAVE.
- Nicolai Hojgaard is younger than Aberg and with his win at the DP World Tour Championship has secured his place in the first couple Signature Events on the PGA Tour. Along with his brother Rasmus the three of them represent the potential for three real stars simultaneously from Scandinavian countries. Who needs speed skating?
- The European pivot to the next generation is one of the swiftest restocking of the Ryder Cup cupboards of all time. Hovland, the Hojgaards, plus Aberg join Rahm and Rory to form a lethal first six. And that group is built to take on Bethpage.
- Ten PGA Tour cards were earned in Dubai this week. Not many likely took notice but the DP World Tour is going to benefit from co-opting space with the PGA Tour and their cash infusion compliments of the PGA Tour was a shrewd deal.
- The winners on the DP World Tour, PGA Tour and LPGA Tour this week were 21, 29, and 27 under par respectively. Any month, anywhere, any conditions, you put 18 flags in the ground and these aliens will knock them over. Absurd.
- Paul Azinger will not be back as the lead analyst for NBC’s golf coverage. There are basically two lead analysts at the network level, so the job is coveted and rarely available. The phone call may be very short, but NBC must gauge the interest of Tiger Woods. Price too high and interest likely next to zero, does not matter, you call him.
- The season of Tiger is open us. He will play the Hero World Challenge and likely the PNC parent child with Charlie. BEST case for 2024 is five events in my mind… four majors and the Genesis. Percentage chance of that happening? 10%
- The fall portion of the PGA Tour schedule gave us winners that included Sahith Theegala, Tom Kim, Colin Morikawa, and Ludvig Aberg plus heart-warming stories in Eric Van Rooyen and Camilo Villegas. As a moving target this fall was a fluky success.
- At 34 Amy Yang wins a massive event and two million dollars. Yang turned pro in 2008 and she’s been a respected professional for 15 years, so her win was wildly popular.
- By any metric Lilia Vu is the player of the year on the LPGA. I am not a fan of leaning on metrics for determining who is the player of the year. Players should vote. They know better than anyone, including an algorithm, who was the best among them for the year.
- Eric Cole is likely to get pinched now by Aberg for rookie of the year. Cole played 37 events! Wake up 1977, Eric Cole is here. He is one of the best stories in 2023 and the vote will be very close. He finished 43 in the FedEx cup and his last six starts including five top 5’s. I think Aberg’s win tips it, but Cole was a plow mule.
- The next ten into the first two full field events of 2024 were determined this fall. Beau Hossler, Matt Kuchar, Nick Hardy, Ben Griffin and Luke List were among that group. All of them exemplify that the pro game sizzles everyone to varying degrees but you can come back from the depths.
- Rory McIlroy leaving his board seat on the PGA Tour surprised some. Why? He did what he’s inclined to do which was be committed to it and it got him tons of unneeded stress and in the end, he was left out of the biggest decision. Onto 2024 and let others shoulder that unnecessary load.
- ESPN wisely secured digital rights to the LPGA for a limited number of events in 2024. Pro golf eats hours and its perfect for ESPN+. For the LPGA they have just put themselves on the monolith of all sports platforms. Winner.
- I spent two days at Congaree golf club in South Carolina. In addition to having the firmest and fastest playing conditions in America they have raised millions for their foundation which provides ample foundational support for aspiring college golfers who are from modest means. Dan Friedkin, the owner of the club, is truly changing lives through golf.
- The new book, “The Golf Courses of Seth Raynor” is a fantastic illustrative book on the work and impact of one of the true giants of course design. Get it for someone you love who loves Raynor courses for Christmas.
- I’ve put Jordan Spieth on the top of my list of people I want to have a long conversation with in 2024. There’s a ton there and will not be enough time.
- Giving thanks should never be reserved for just one day but we do celebrate it this Thursday. I am thankful for the support and compassion of so many and for anyone reading this line that signifies you supporting our efforts to talk about this game we love. Happy Thanksgiving.