PGA/LPGA Golf Discussion Thread • Page 35

there is currently nothing to support (or shoot down, for that matter) any notion that Brooks is considering trying to come back, but, man - he's gonna have to get in front of a microphone soon at one of these LIV events and how he answers what will certainly be questions about this, will be very telling.

Brooks defecting BACK to the PGA tour would be catastrophic for LIV.

 

Alan Shipnuck is hit and miss with his reporting so who knows. He likes to antagonize Greg Norman so floating that out there the week LIV opens up the season is something he would do. On the surface, Brooks signing with LIV made sense but with their expanded 2023 schedule and the crazy travel that conflicts with major preparation it no longer seems desirable for him so I could see how this line of thinking could surface. I imagine he'll put up a strong front this week and deny the rumors, but it would be quite the curveball if he tried to get back to the PGA.

As great as the last two weeks have been it just makes me more irritated this wasn't done sooner so we could have enjoyed these elevated events while Brooks, DJ, and Cam Smith were on the tour. Both the tour and the players are at fault for this fracture. However, I think the elevated events will be put to the test later in the season with RBC Heritage, Memorial, and Travelers. Will those events feel differently? These last two weeks were cupcakes in the sense you had great atmospheres and courses in Phoenix and Riviera. They had already separated themselves from the rest of the pack before this designation.

 

Dude. Having lost my mom almost two years ago, he got me so choked up talking about her. You can just tell he’s an incredible person. I want him to keep winning so badly.

 

PGA beat em to it! cant wait for this

 

Glad to be wrong on that one. Will be more exciting to watch than some of the previous exhibitions that occur in December.

 

The Honda Classic is depressing this year. The grandstands are empty and the field is so weak. I wonder if thew new sponsor next year will help them refocus it with a bigger purse and prominence. It also doesn't help that it's sandwiched between Phoenix/Genesis and Arnold Palmer/The Players. I don't blame guys who don't play in it though given where it is on the schedule.

 

With this era of designated events, I do think we'll see a greater delineation between the star-studded events and the field-filler ones. And I think that's ok. We need a comedown every now and then. Plus, it gives a chance for an up and comer to get some airtime or for a journeyman like Sepp Straka to have a career year. However, it is a bummer that this specific tournament, especially one with a rich history and a longtime sponsor, has fallen off a cliff.

One idea to revive this tournament is to switch spots in the calendar with RBC Heritage and give it the designated status. Jon Rahm said a few of these designated spots will be rotated. I'm a little skeptical of having a designated event right after the Masters, but if they're going to do it you could switch those spots. Travel is increased only slightly.

Another idea is to give this tournament the WGC Match Play as that sponsor and course are no longer hosting it after this year. I'm a fan of Honda's course and think it would be great for match play, especially the bear trap portion. A lot of momentum shifts in matches could occur as players try to close out matches on those holes. Selfishly, this is just my way of ensuring a match play event is still on the calendar after this year.

 

Rory/Rahm/Scottie and Homa/JT/Spieth are the featured groups at The Players. This is gonna be a fun one. This past Sunday was great for the sport. I thought Kitayama blew it with that brutal triple but I’m really happy he finally got over the hump.

 

Should be a fun week. Looks like the forecast will be much better than last year.

The tour couldn't ask for a better start to 2023. The designated events have been a resounding success which is a shame that they are tinkering with them next year but understand they need to keep the top players happy.

I was happy to see Kitayama win when Hovland failed to become a threat. He's still young, but Hovland's short game leaves a lot to be desired which is going to prevent him from winning big events when the separator is how you scramble on these tough courses.

 

Players is off to a hot start

 

I've been hooked up with tickets to The Players on Saturday and I can't wait! Another box checked on my golf wishlist.

My dad's company had extra tickets for a tent/suite or whatever on 17 and I will be taking full advantage of the open bar.

 

Every weekend in feb and march having this shit happen is so lame. you obviously cant control random bad weather but my god you know what time the sun sets lol

maybe dont have 400 golfers trying to all get in 18 in 10 hours of daylight???

 

Respect to Aaron Wise for putting a 10 on the card on 18 yesterday. I love relatable golfers.

 

oh THATS how you do that

 

And Chad Ramey falls back to Earth after putting two balls in the water at 17 and making a quadruple bogey. Oof. Gotta feel for him because those two shots weren't bad but this course will punish you for being too aggressive.

 

Play is suspended for the day due to weather. This tournament cannot catch a break. We're trending towards a Monday finish as some guys still have not started their back nine.

 

every year, the florida swing has insane delays.

 

Oh man just missed the horn. That penalty could also factor into him making the cut.

 

This course is gorgeous

 

3pm and no groups have finished. Absolutely heading for a Monday finish here

 

Did you see Rai’s ace???

 

yes and it was awesome

 

Fuck yea haha

besides 16 at WM, 17 at sawgrass has to be the best hole as a spectator

 

Fun Saturday for a tournament that was lacking a touch of energy the previous two days. My pick, Tom Hoge, went nuclear and broke the course record. He probably would need another day like that to win which would be asking too much.

Min Woo will make it tough for Scottie, but I gotta think Scheffler will pull it out in the end.

 

I cannot recall a player more indecisive in a final pairing than Min Woo Lee today. He is constantly switching clubs and taking second looks.

And Scottie just made another birdie to take a four-shot lead over clubhouse leader Tyrrell Hatton. I know danger lurks every hole, but it would take a monumental collapse for Scottie to blow this one. God what I would do to see a final pairing of Scottie and Rahm at the Masters.