For those of us from another generation, the disruption of the golf world that we knew well is both exciting and unsettling. The two most potent disruptors are rival golf leagues, not unlike the turmoil seen in the NCAA, and the Anchorman-style gangs of golf reporters. Reconciled to a past era are the dominance of the U.S. PGA Tour and the monthly golf magazines. One element that will not change, at any time in the foreseeable future, however, is the sanctity of the grand slam and golf’s four male major championships. While the LPGA and the PGA Tour Champions have seen a light and added fifth and sixth power titles, the men’s game remains staunchly in the 20th century.
This last topic surges in pertinence each March, just before the playing of The Players Championship. Two camps stake tents and run banners up the poll. One cries out for elevation of the PC to major status, while the other digs a trench around its impregnable quadrilateral. My personal take is this: Every four years since 2016, golf is played at the Olympics. Is Olympic Gold the equivalent of a major title? Yes, it is. It comes around every 1,500 days and brings elite golfers together in competition at the most important athletic event and venue. In my mind, Justin Rose and Xander Schauffele earned major titles in Brazil and Japan, as did Inbee Park and Nelly Korda. As for the Players Championship, why not? The field is stronger by ranking than any major event, and the golf course demands every shot that golfers can create.
The Players Championship is so important to the U.S. PGA Tour that all other tours under its umbrella take the week off. No Korn Ferry, no Tour Champions. The LPGA and the DP World Tour follow suit, which shrinks the amount of watchable golf to two events. On that sour note, let’s run down this week’s play, beginning with the Players Championship and ending with the Asian Tour in Macau.
PGA Tour @ Players Championship: matching luggage for Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler is making a bid to be the player of his generation. From the previous one, a fair number have taken leave from traditional competition. The Johnsons, Koepkas, and Reeds from the 1980s no longer play the events that stand the test of time. The born-in-the-90s generation had its first great champion in Jordan Spieth until he took leave of the senses that brought him to golf’s pinnacle. Spieth’s descent ran opposite Scheffler’s rise.
Scottie Scheffler had won nothing on the PGA Tour until February 13th of 2022. He won on that day in Phoenix, then won three more times by the middle of April. One of those wins was the API at Bay Hill. Last week, Scheffler won for a second time at the Orlando course. Last March, Scheffler won his first Players Championship, by five shots over Tyrrell Hatton. On Sunday, Scheffler dived headfirst into a cauldron of fierce competition. Facing challenges from Olympic champion Schauffele, Open champion Brian Harmon, and U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, Scheffler breathed. As the only man to reach 20 under par, he earned a second consecutive title at Sawgrass and reminded us that it has been two years since he won the Masters and that he is on a tear.
It all began at the fourth on Sunday for Scheffler. After pars at the opening three holes, Scheffler’s driving wedge from 92 yards landed 20 feet shy of the hole, took one large bounce, then spun left, trickling into the hole for eagle. He followed that incantation with another birdie, then two pars. The stretch from 8 to 12 was where the champion made a statement. His quartet of birdies over that run, brought him to 19-under par and let the pursuing pack know that even lower than the winning 17 under in 2023 would be necessary.
And the trio was game. Harman and Clark both dipped below 70, to reach 19 under at the final pole. Schauffele could not find a similar gear and closed with 70 — 69 would have earned him a playoff with Scheffler. It was the extra gear, the ability to go low when all things mattered, that eleveated the now two-time champion to the top of the podium. In five of his eight tour wins, Scheffler has posted a sub-70 round on day four, and four of those have been 67 or lower.
With elegant precision, Scheffler applied the final thrust at the par-5 16th. He played safely away from Pete’s Pond on the right, into the left greenside bunker at the back of the putting surface. His bunker shot was thing of exquisite accuracy, trickling to a planned stop about 20 inches from the hole. The birdie concluded matters and rang the sort of bell that Dye courses tend to display.
Asian Tour @ International Series Macau: Catlin earns playoff victory
There are two sorts of golfers that compete on the Asian Tour, which makes no secret of its alliance with the LIV. The first are the AT stalwarts, the ones who play as golfers have always played, with little guarantee and much pride. The others are the ones who compete on the LIV, eschewing both risk and pride for the guaranteed payday. Their deal costs them world ranking points, so they play in AT events, hoping to qualify for golf’s major events.
This week in Macau, one of those LIV golfers shot 60 on Sunday and did not win the tournament. Hard to believe, you say? Aye, but when another golfer shoots 59 in the third round, follows it up with a 65 on day four, then makes overtime birdie twice at the par-five closer, the razor’s edge of great golf is sharpened. Thus did it happen with American John Catlin and Spaniard David Puig.
It was Catlin who signed for 59, and it took a twisting, eagle putt at the last to enshrine the first-ever, sub-60 on the Asian Tour. It was Puig who closed the gap on Sunday with a 60 of his own, which featured a bogey at the lengthy fifth hole, but was followed by seven birdies and an eagle over the next 13 holes. Catlin had a six-feet putt for the regulation win, but missed. In extra time, Puig nearly holed for eagle at 18, then tapped in for birdie. Catlin’s second danced along the OOB perimeter, before ending on an access road. His drop and pitch left him another six feet to remain alive, and this time, he converted.
At the second go-round of the par-5 finisher, Puig found the green in two, but took three putts from nearly 50 feet. Catlin confronted another challenging pitch for his third, and once again, his wedge game won the day. He tapped in for birdie and the win.
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D
Aug 21, 2014 at 12:19 am
owwww the 915d5, I heard that they were making a few prototype models for specific players, this being Adams Scotts 400cc?? Would love to play a new small headed driver, I have a Dymo 380cc now and bomb it when im swinging well.
Rich
Aug 20, 2014 at 8:49 pm
What’s with the super stroke grip on an iron for Kevin Chappell? Seems strange no?
Tony_ireland
Aug 21, 2014 at 5:20 am
Was thinkin same! Possibly helps his feeling of keep flat left wrist at impact?
Connor
Aug 20, 2014 at 11:09 am
Would love to see if Rory put the Vapors into play. Can’t imagine he would given the run he is on, however they did have the big unveiling the other night with Tiger and Jimmy Fallon.
Shawn
Aug 20, 2014 at 11:56 pm
I was thinking the same thing. Highly doubtful he would make any change until after the season – if then even – given the run he is on. To me, the Vapors do not seem like tour clubs. I saw pics a few weeks ago of the Nike MMProto’s, a limited edition forged Nike iron set. Not sure if those are related to the Vapors or not, but many tour pros are starting to test those according to this article:
http://www.pga.com/golf-equipment/golf-buzz/nike-offer-mm-proto-irons-in-extremely-limited-edition
H
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:21 am
You know nothing, Shawn, so shut it. The Vapors are awesome irons.
bradford
Aug 22, 2014 at 12:19 pm
The MM Protos were the Vapor prototype. Vapor Pro is same club, albeit more colorful. They also re-did the pro-combo and added a cast “speed” GI iron based on the same design.
enrique
Aug 20, 2014 at 10:04 am
Did anyone else notice Charles Howell III using MP15 irons with KBS shafts!!!! Wow – he was MP64 with X100 previously.
bobo
Aug 18, 2014 at 6:23 pm
Really like those all gray TM putter. So nice when they stick to one head color. I think the TM haters population is going to go down quite a bit. Love their TP irons, SLDR are solid, Ultimate DI looks cool, new darker counter balance putters are way better than the easily chipping white ones. I was suprised in a good way by the jetspeed(with the right shaft). Gotta say the stand bags were so ugly this year.
Micah Witt
Aug 19, 2014 at 3:00 pm
looks like the link for Tuesday part 3 goes to Monday part 3, can we get that fixed?
H
Aug 21, 2014 at 3:22 am
Yes, I also love that all-grey putter.
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