18 thoughts, observations and predictions…
- The reported rollback of the golf ball universally will be debated for the years ahead. As I’ve stated from the outset of the Distance Insights report, I support bifurcation. I have concerns about sustainability in 50 years not five years.
- The two biggest stars in the men’s game, Tiger and Rory, support the rollback which is helpful for the governing bodies but they will need smart and sensible data and messaging in the years ahead to calm the masses.
- Every tour player screaming about the rollback are paid messengers for the manufacturers. It doesn’t mean that they may not have reasonable concerns, but they are paid messengers.
- Tiger Woods’ week at the Hero was a start and that’s all it was. If he can’t build on this and his next start, wherever it is, and is starting over then he can’t build. Without a modest building to something, the big stuff is unattainable.
- Tiger is a genius and there are few others who could have as many iterations of a golf swing and continue to win like he has but this transformation is really impressive. Transferring speed produced in large measure from the twitchy lower body to the now yoked upper body is wild to see.
- As he approaches 48 at the end of December, Tiger has NEVER had more value to the PGA Tour. Him playing a little bit is massive. His voice publicly on the direction of the tour is vital and his weight on the issues is exponentially more significant than anyone else in the game.
- The Jon Rahm rumors to LIV are loud. His departure would be a massive hit to the PGA Tour. He’s dynamic, interesting, curious and good television. His loss would be far greater than any other the tour has stomached to date.
- If Rahm’s departure is followed by additional top 20 players in the world leaving for LIV, the tour will be in the most desperate position they’ve been in, to date, to find common ground with LIV. LIV is not desperate for financial solvency; the PGA Tour is in a very precarious position with multiple title sponsors while trying to compensate their top players based on something other than market conditions.
- Jordan Spieth has a multi win season in 2024 and will be in the deep end of the pool in two majors with chances to win both the Masters and the US Open.
- Joaquin Niemann won the Australian Open to become the first Chilean born player to win a truly historic event. It makes you wonder what the make-up of the U.S. and International Presidents Cup teams will be next fall. As a PGA Tour property it would appear there will be no LIV players on either side. Another tour property devalued by LIV.
- Matt Fitzpatrick reported the information regarding Collin Morikawa’s use of green reading data. Is he a snitch? No, he was trying to get clarification on what was permissible. He also has a responsibility to protect the field. He did the right thing even though it may have initially appeared smarmy.
- Ashleigh Buhai defended her title at the Australian Open. Winning any event in back-to-back years is rare especially an event sharing the stage with the men. Buhai will have a big 2024.
- Luke Donald running it back as European Ryder Cup captain is impressive. He knows what he’s trying to do in the most hostile environment in Ryder Cup history. He could have taken his blowout win and enjoyed lifetime lofty status. Rolling the dice at Bethpage speaks to his sneaky competitive streak.
- Paul McGinley should be the choice for lead analyst for NBC. Smart, plugged in and unafraid.
- The College Football Playoff proves again that anything that relies on an outside agency like a judge to determine outcomes is doomed. A card and pencil is unambiguous. Shoot a score, put the number on the board and fall where you fall.
- Tiger will not captain the U.S. Ryder Cup team at Bethpage. The PGA of America should think completely outside their historic model.
- Scottie Scheffler will figure out his putting woes with Phil Kenyon and no one will win more than him in 2024.
- As we embark on a week of digging in on the ball rollback, I just hope the discussion is civil. We can all make data dance in any direction we want and although I support the rollback, I also respect the concerns of the recreational player. This is about 2050 as much as it is 2030.