Connect with us

Opinion & Analysis

Whose side are you on? Tiger? Jenkins?

Published

on

By now you probably know the story — Dan Jenkins and Golf Digest faked an interview with Tiger Woods and Golf Digest staged photos with a Tiger lookalike.

Tiger Woods was not happy, and let the public know via Derek Jeter’s new Players’ Tribune website. You can read Jenkins’ original story at the bottom of this link. Despite some vicious feedback on Twitter and social media, Jenkins stood his ground.

Lindsey Vonn, Woods’ girlfriend, shared her feelings on the matter. She sided with her boyfriend and supported his decision to confront Jenkins and Golf Digest.

“It was like a fabricated interview, like what [Jenkins] thinks Tiger would say,” Vonn said.

Stellar observation.

Predictably, Jenkins’ story and Tiger’s response has been a very polarizing issue. People, golf fans, journalism ethics specialists, haters, apologists, social observers and conspiracy theorists have been voicing their opinions. We’ve combined the most popular responses into a poll.

Which response best describes your feelings of the issue?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
Your Reaction?
  • 0
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK1

We share your golf passion. You can follow GolfWRX on Twitter @GolfWRX, Facebook and Instagram.

141 Comments

141 Comments

  1. tom

    Jan 12, 2015 at 11:03 am

    if you want funny get a good look at jenkins freaking pic and that stupid combover —-for that alone he should be let go.

  2. JEFF

    Jan 9, 2015 at 12:42 pm

    Again, this is what is making golf stupid….. and who cares~?

  3. BOBBY D

    Dec 10, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    ELDRICK,THE CHEATER DOESN’T NEED ANY PRESS GOOD OR BAD…WIN AGAIN THEN WILL TALK…GOOD ON YA,DAN JENKINS !!!

  4. ChipNRun

    Dec 9, 2014 at 11:41 pm

    Am I allowed not to care?

  5. tariq

    Dec 7, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    who cares?

  6. Jem

    Dec 6, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    One of the elements of good satire is that it contains an element of truth. Satire simply exaggerates and pokes fun at actual events. Jenkins didn’t make up any of the issues he discusses about Woods in his article. He merely satirized them. Tiger is known for firing people. He is notorious as a poor tipper. He is infamous for being self-centered. And his written response to Jenkins helps prove an old saying my daddy told me, “If you throw a rock in a pack of dogs, the one you hit is gonna howl.”

  7. Nately18

    Dec 3, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    Have never liked Jenkins’ writing much–tiresome stuff, straining to be funny. The fake interview article is a good example.

  8. J daly

    Nov 30, 2014 at 8:06 am

    It should be robelli. Judging by your response, you’re probably one of those players instead playing behind.

  9. Stan

    Nov 25, 2014 at 10:37 pm

    Is it still satire if it’s not funny? Hey Jenkin’s there’s no shame in asking me for writing help. I used to hate Tiger but am now rooting for him as long as it doesn’t come at Phil’s expense.

    That’s kind of fudged up on Golf Digest’s part considering Tiger used to be a contributor.

  10. Tim

    Nov 25, 2014 at 2:29 am

    Have a little laugh, everybody and cheer yourselves up

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g74DiyzadXI

  11. Swingblade

    Nov 24, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    It doesn’t really matter who this so called “article” was targeting. Whether it was aimed at Tiger, or Phil, or any other professional, no one in the golfing community should be subjected to such offensive and libelous writings. Cloaking such mean spirited low class vengeful behavior in the misleading guise of supposedly humorous writing fools no one and this again has no place in the golfing community and certainly no place in Golf Digest. It is simply hateful and vengeful refuse. The author and the editor who allowed this piece of trash writing to be published need to be terminated. Period. No exception. I will terminate my renewal process with Golf Digest and cease buying issues at newstands until Golf Digest cleans house and apologizes. I suggest everyone who respects the game of golf do the same. And, no, I am not a Tiger fan in any way. I’m a golf fan who believes this should be a classy sport.

    • Hypo

      Nov 24, 2014 at 9:44 pm

      You’ve obviously never watched Saturday Night Live on NBC. If you have, and laughed at any of the jokes and parodies aimed at the famous people such as Presidents, then you’re a HYPOCRITE.

      • Jafar

        Nov 25, 2014 at 2:39 pm

        Those roles are played by professional actors and comedians. Their profession is to make fun of people in good taste, and they do an excellent job at it.

        The job of a golf writer is to chronicle the sport and its impact on society. Last time I checked Dan Jenkins was not a comedian or an actor, nor is Golf Digest published by Comedy Central.

        The only thing funny is how stupid people like yourself suggest this is somehow similar to a comedy routine. Your argument falls short when you can’t find another fake interview in any other sports magazine.

        Comedians are paid to be funny. Journalists take classes for ethics for a reason.

        People like you who can’t even sign their own name…throwing stones and then hiding your hand, now that’s hypocritical.

        • H

          Nov 26, 2014 at 9:01 pm

          Writing is writing, just as you did here, and the same goes for this article. And you’re just spouting opinion, just like everybody else. And satire is also just an opinion, done aritistically. Not a big deal.

        • Jem

          Dec 6, 2014 at 1:21 pm

          Have you ever read any of Dan Jenkins’ novels? 90% of what he writes is comedic satire on golf. This was not meant to be a piece of golf journalism, and clearly labeled as a “fake” interview. It is totally in character for Jenkins.

  12. J daly

    Nov 23, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    Jenkins is a loser. Probably can’t even break 100 or even pick up a club.

    • Robeli

      Nov 23, 2014 at 4:52 pm

      Didn’t know that was the minimum requirement to be a golf writer.

    • rkristopher

      Nov 24, 2014 at 11:19 am

      Well, he did play college golf at TCU.

      • Barack

        Dec 6, 2014 at 2:30 pm

        Oh, shocking, he’s a white Texan Christian. No wonder he’s not a racist.

        • Cyd

          Dec 29, 2014 at 8:45 pm

          Playing the race card. I don’t think that word means what you think it means!

  13. Redhawks

    Nov 22, 2014 at 12:12 am

    Since when is it okay for a so called “journalist” to fabricate in a public magazine in order to embarrass a very public figure, and then when he’s called out, plays it off as satire, “just joking Tiger”. Very irresponsible and plain stupid. Guess what Jenkins? If Tiger proves that he’s damaged or suffered loss because of your “interview”, you and the Enquirer, er’ GD, pays.

  14. Robeli

    Nov 21, 2014 at 11:22 pm

    Dear Tiger,
    People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

  15. Jeff

    Nov 21, 2014 at 9:40 pm

    Maybe Dan Jenkins was a Hall of Fame writer last week. There are far more Tiger fans in his world than Dan Jenkins fans. In a year when fans missed him on the course I really don’t understand the point of the article.
    There is not an argument to be made that Dan Jenkins didn’t expect to make a buck at Tigers expense here. As a fan who misses seeing Tiger play, I feel defensive. I respect the mans contribution to the coverage of the game. Dan Jenkins is a Hall of fame writer. I’m 30, play golf, watch golf and read about golf, almost all because of amazing things Tiger did from 1999-2006. There’s tons beyond Tiger that I love. But my introduction to the wonders of the game came admiring the athletic ability of one guy. TIGER WOODS. It’s gonna take a lot for me to not really like the guy. I read the Haney book because I got it free. Fans are loyal, and the tiger hater’s this article panders to are in my mind the worst thing about this great game. So yeah, the article actually made me mad, and cancel Golf Digest. Paulina on the cover was fine but really Golf Digest? Trying to cut down the best player ever for his tipping? Whatever. GOLFWeek here I come. Europeans are so much more polite anyway.

  16. Mark

    Nov 21, 2014 at 12:36 pm

    Dan Jenkins is a dinosaur that should have been put out to pasture years ago. One of the old breed, like Henry Longhurst who don’t think anyone outside the country club clique are worthy of playing our great game.

    • Cheeta

      Nov 21, 2014 at 9:40 pm

      Eldrick should have been put to pasture when he didn’t admit to using PED when he was connected to the one chemist with whom he should have never been connected!

      • Pat M

        Nov 22, 2014 at 7:01 pm

        Tiger is pretty much a dinosaur now. How many injuries before he writes off 2015 early in the year. Another year where he probably will not be able to play due to injuries. I hope I am wrong but the guy is a hypochondriac.

        • rymail00

          Nov 23, 2014 at 7:16 pm

          +100,000

          Tiger is such a baby! What a hypochondriac!! Seriously….”oh poor Tiger, winning the US Open with a broken leg and torn knee ligaments” seriously I can’t even believe he actually decided to get surgery what p_ssy. And a pinched nerve/slipped disc…SMFH….unless you lose a limb, or your a quadriplegic your ass better be teeing up EVERY WEEK.

          I pray Tiger reads this and knows how disappointed the golfing world is him with for not playing playing with broken bones and torn ligaments. This is golf god dang it. Man up!!!!

          (Obvious sarcasm I hope).

      • Barack

        Dec 6, 2014 at 2:32 pm

        Nothing illegal about blood spinning to speed recovery.

    • Jem

      Dec 6, 2014 at 1:26 pm

      Funny that bigotry against old people is still acceptable. Whether against race, creed, or sexual preference, bigotry is still bigotry.

    • Robeli

      Nov 21, 2014 at 11:39 am

      So Will Ferrell can make fun of Tiger, but not Jenkins?

  17. Take

    Nov 21, 2014 at 9:44 am

    The Real Tiger Woods Apology

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpue5lHjEQ0

    • Robeli

      Nov 21, 2014 at 11:02 am

      So more than 2m people watched this satire, but Tiger or none of his followers objected to the same level as for Jenkins piece? What takes?

  18. choppersmakemelaugh

    Nov 21, 2014 at 9:01 am

    I love all this talk about the Dan Jenkins article!

    Two things are happening right now.
    1)The WRX’ers out there aren’t bashing the new TM product like they normally do
    2)People may actually realize this is not your fathers game anymore and golf is changing just like society. (Sad but true)

    • Pat M

      Nov 22, 2014 at 7:02 pm

      Golf is changing and Tiger is old news and always injured. Golf moves on to the Rory era.

      • J daly

        Nov 23, 2014 at 12:04 pm

        Shut your mouth

        • TigerWho

          Nov 23, 2014 at 10:11 pm

          Go Rory. Tiger is old news. I heard he just started taking lessons from Perry Como.

  19. tg

    Nov 21, 2014 at 5:16 am

    Has Tiger got nothing better to do with his time then react to stuff written about him? He has stuff written about him pretty much daily – some good, some not so good? You would have thought that after 20 years in the spotlight he would have learnt to grow thick skin and worry less about lazy journalism like this.

    Tiger’s reaction illustrates just how insecure he feels right now. He’s no longer top dog and he doesn’t like it and is lashing out. A few years ago he wouldn’t give a damn about this sort of stuff.

    • ND Hickman

      Nov 21, 2014 at 6:09 am

      How would you feel if someone was profiting from a mock interview (that was basically used as a character assassination) on you?

      • Rich

        Nov 22, 2014 at 7:00 am

        Character assassination? I think Tiger did that all by himself, starting when he decided to cheat on his wife by sleeping with every woman that he could get his grubby hands on.

        • ND Hickman

          Nov 24, 2014 at 6:38 am

          And that’s a valid excuse to make up an interview?

    • Robeli

      Nov 21, 2014 at 11:10 pm

      You nailed it.

    • Billy

      Nov 22, 2014 at 2:53 am

      Damn lamest article I ever saw…..

  20. Joker

    Nov 21, 2014 at 2:20 am

    Wow. Amazing. I can’t believe so many people are taking the Jenkins thing so personally. Crossed the line? How would it have been, had it been on The Enquirer or some other supermarket shelf tabloid bullish_t magazine doing a parody. How about Mad magazine, with all them parody cartoons. So why would it be so serious when Jenkins did the same? Man, can’t you take a joke, people?

    • dapadre

      Nov 21, 2014 at 7:56 am

      So let me get this right we are comparing the Enquirer, MADD mag to GD and Jenkins? I think that was the issue, at least for me that Im buying GD to read GOLF articles not nonsense.

      • josh

        Nov 21, 2014 at 12:27 pm

        ^^^ yup

      • Done with Digest

        Nov 21, 2014 at 8:56 pm

        ^^ yup. Me too. I always hoped they could just stick to golf. I do t give a f*** about Dan Jenkins opinions. I have my own. I used to read GD to hear them report about golf. Golf, that’s it. I never asked about the personal lives, just what’s in the bag. What Score did they post.

        • Rich

          Nov 22, 2014 at 7:03 am

          So why are you here then?. This website only covers scores and clubs, NOT!

  21. Shack

    Nov 20, 2014 at 8:52 pm

    I think DeMarco nailed it on the morning drive. Say what you want about his golf game and what he does on course. What he wants to do or say off of it, its none of our business if Tiger chooses it to be.

    Someone is just salty that one of the worlds best to play the game doesn’t want to talk to you.

    Good luck getting that interview in the future, by the way. Kill more bees with honey than vinegar.

  22. B Coast

    Nov 20, 2014 at 8:25 pm

    Jenkins might as well be writing for the national enquirer! What a stupid article!!! (this coming from a non tiger fan) What if someone wrote “how so and so (fake) raped me”. If the pres of the PGA can get fired for calling IJP a “lil girl” then there has to something done when a writer slams his subject with things he thinks that person would say. Really though, he was out to make tiger look like an ass.

    Its not about freedom of speech, otherwise the president of the PGA wouldn’t have been fired!

    So stupid and yes I think something should happen to him and the editor of golf digest that approved it.

  23. gvogel

    Nov 20, 2014 at 8:12 pm

    Ever since the totally scripted, manufactured press conference after the fire hydrant, with Momma in the front row, Tiger has been open season for sports writers. Let’s face it, tiger has allowed his life to be shaped by PR people, Steiny and the rest of the entourage.

    Who else on tour has security guards to walk him from the practice tee to the first tee? Tiger doesn’t take a pee without security guards.

    I suspect that if Tiger had consented to interviews with someone, anyone, a non-interested third party, then Jenkins would have left the subject alone.

    Jenkins has been around long enough and covered enough golf tournaments to have won the respect of most of the great major champions. The fact that tiger has erected a wall to keep out all journalists, not just Jenkins, makes him fodder for parody.

    Well done, Dan.

    • Josh

      Nov 20, 2014 at 8:25 pm

      That kind of sounds like extortion…do an interview with me or else! Definitely strong terms, but still very immature for such a suggestedly prolific journalist.

      • Josh

        Nov 21, 2014 at 12:18 pm

        Tasted a bit saltier than your mother did.

        I’m not knocking anything because it’s PC or not…just knocking a badly written article posted in the wrong forum for it. If this was an article on the onion…written by professional satirists cool. If Jon Stewart talked about it…great. If will Farrell scripted it…par for the course.

        But here is an author trying to get his 15 seconds in the spotlight in our Twitter drama society thinking he can ruffle feathers under the guise of satire because he couldn’t make the real interview happen.

        He was called out because the article didn’t come across as funny or a joke. By your logic…we can and should shame people publicly if they don’t answer our demands of interviewing by whom and when we ask.

        That being said…are you even aware of how many interviews or press events..or other media led events tiger has been a part of in the past 3 months….6 months…1year? Or do yo just get panties in a bunch when you can’t skewer someone for cheating on their wife?

        And justifying this whole thing because tiger is pretentious? This is golf dude….a seasoned sport made elitist because of the prevention! That would be like calling you out for being an idiot because your name is Bubba…it comes with the territory.

        • Robeli

          Nov 21, 2014 at 2:15 pm

          So you say Jenkins or GD had no right to do satire?
          And you are the judge to what is funny or not?

        • Josh

          Nov 21, 2014 at 7:55 pm

          Robeli , I’m not the judge of anything…in this case, tiger woods is. Digest tried to make a joke at his expense and he didn’t think it was funny. That’s really all that should matter. Is your need for a laugh more important than his feelings? I hate to sound overly sensitive…but that’s what this comes down to. Would I be pissed if this article was about me…I don’t know…would you?? In this case though, it doesn’t matter what we think because tiger has already spoken on the topic and voiced his distaste. if Jenkins was a man, he’d respond with what he thinks I’m a more in depth way than a tweet.

        • Jeff

          Nov 21, 2014 at 9:21 pm

          I’m with Josh. 100 percent. And he’s not and I’m not saying Dan Jenkins committed some great sin or terrible thing, it was just stupid. For what? Ok Dan, Tigers a mean, bitter guy. It’s irrelevant. it’s not original. Stale, not even funny.
          My personal thoughts were, “hey, why not just tear into Ken Griffey, Jr. and John Elway, bash all the athletes Ive most loved to watch in my life then ask me to choose who’s side I’m on between my childhood hero’s and some hack writer, gee”
          Now I’m not saying I admire Tiger in every aspect of his life, but I’m one that doesn’t care about his business, just the sports. I’ll never read the article, because I’m a Tiger Woods fan, and his opinion was clear, don’t read it unless you need to to make a decision about it. I’m perfectly clear where I stand. I’m gonna watch golf digest burn to the ground if they rally around Dan Jenkins, and I’m not gonna feel bad, because they really should know better.

        • Robeli

          Nov 21, 2014 at 11:08 pm

          J & J, at the end of each joke, is somebody. Does the person deserve it? Maybe, maybe not. However, if Tiger was a good tipper, if he had won a major in the last 6 years, it he didn’t called Sergio a ‘cry baby’, if he didn’t screw around and was faithful to his wife, …….etc., THEN Tiger had some ground to stand on by saying Jenkins was attacking his character. But Jenkins didn’t lie about anything – he just made fun about it. And nothing is wrong about that. Jenkins said it with a ‘tongue in the cheek’. So Tiger, if you not like people making fun about your bad stuff, then think next time, and act like a MAN.

  24. golfpros1

    Nov 20, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    Funny… yes. Appropriate… no.

    Golf Digest appears to be lowering itself for readership or something. The covers, the articles, it’s like TMZ these days.

    • Tony Lynam

      Nov 20, 2014 at 9:47 pm

      Couldn’t agree with you more. I did not renew my subscription because their new direction trying to attract hipsters and not golfers.

  25. Ronald Montesano

    Nov 20, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    Not a fan of taking a run at Vonn, writers. No one asks me to model or sing, so we shouldn’t anticipate introspection from her take.

  26. Pat

    Nov 20, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    Of course most of the posters here are Tiger slurpers so they would side with him. I’m on Jenkin’s side. Tiger needs to lighten up and get a sense of humor. This proves time and again and he’s a robotic a-hole both on the off the course. Honestly, if some writer wrote up a fake interview about me poking fun, I would just laugh it off. I actually had a good laugh reading his column. Some of you people need to lighten up and not take things so seriously. I’ve gone through more turmoil and physical pain than most, so what it’s taught me is to enjoy life, brush off the little stuff and roll with the punches. It’s OK to laugh at yourself people.

    • Rich

      Nov 20, 2014 at 7:13 pm

      The problem for one T.Woods is that everyone else is laughing at him too. Well, I know I was…………..

    • Josh

      Nov 20, 2014 at 7:15 pm

      This is the problem though…tiger’s brand is him. So any bashing is slanderous. You’re referring to letting it roll off your back as someone who doesn’t have millions to make or loose based solely on the public perception of you. think of the position he’s in…having a horrible year, and probably realizes how possible it is that he will never play as well as he has in the past…and here is some guy writing an article rehashing all of the worst things about you in golf’s preeminent magazine. One you used to contribute to none the less!

      • Rich

        Nov 20, 2014 at 7:23 pm

        I’m no lawyer but I’m pretty sure slanderous has to be baseless or untrue. I’m pretty sure the only person who believes the content to be inaccurate is Woods himself. Whether it’s below the belt is up for debate but not the accuracy of the content. Other posters have said it. If there was no response from Woods, then there would be no more discussion. Instead, the Jenkins “interview” is getting much more mileage than it would have. It’s his own fault again that there is so much discussion over this piece from Jenkins.

        • Josh

          Nov 20, 2014 at 7:46 pm

          tiger’s people mentioned this as slanderous in the letter…but of course they think all of the negative comments would be baseless! How much of this whole response by woods is really just a misfire by his PR team anyways??

          • Rich

            Nov 21, 2014 at 5:52 am

            The whole thing I’d say. Knee jerk reaction with the emphasis on jerk.

        • Brad B

          Nov 21, 2014 at 7:49 pm

          One would have to be an idiot not to recognize it wasn’t a real interview, a fool to believe those “answers” were “accurate,” and wholly unfamiliar with golf writers not to know that the article is consistent with Jenkins’ “style.”

          It didn’t strike me as all that funny. As far as Tiger is concerned – – – foolishness by a public figure invites mockery.

      • Robeli

        Nov 21, 2014 at 3:01 pm

        If Tiger’s brand and image is so important to him, then maybe it would have been better for him to have given Jenkins that interview many years ago. But, then again, clearly Tiger hasn’t got the brains to have figured that out. Also, if you want your brand to be squeaky clean, then try to live a model and squeaky clean life. Just saying.

    • Ken

      Nov 20, 2014 at 7:18 pm

      Pat, isn’t easy to laugh it off when it’ isn’t about you?

    • RWC

      Nov 21, 2014 at 12:52 am

      If someone supports Tiger or one party or one point of view, then they are called “Slurpers?” Since you support Dan, you’re just as much of a Slurper that you accuse other people of. Expand your mind…

  27. Ken

    Nov 20, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    How dumb of Golf Digest! Tiger took golf to another level. I’m guessing that translated into increased circulation. What do they do? Let a very lame article satirizing the golden goose go to print. Plain dumb. Bye bye GD.

  28. Kyle

    Nov 20, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    Tiger’s no doubt. Jenkins is an old, bitter POS.

    • Forsbrand

      Nov 21, 2014 at 2:23 am

      Tiger who? The main problem is journalists are unable to write about wins or great rounds by woods so write about other stuff instead. Who cares, it’s all about Rory these days. Tiger is so yesterday!

  29. Tom Duckworth

    Nov 20, 2014 at 5:55 pm

    Let’s talk about golf. I guess if your a hack sports writer and want to make a name for yourself attack or make fun of Tiger Woods.

    • Paul

      Nov 20, 2014 at 9:37 pm

      One thing Dan Jenkins is not is a hack sports writer. Hall of Fame writing career.

  30. Robert Johnson

    Nov 20, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    Dan Jenkins should go by writers advice, that’s write what you know. So he’s a blank page..

  31. Jeff

    Nov 20, 2014 at 5:40 pm

    I think Dan Jenkins is maybe more arrogant than Tiger. This is clearly a case of a bitter writer who did not get an interview with Tiger that he felt he was entitled to. Golf Digest should not fire him but he should be reprimanded and either Jenkins or the magazine should apologize. I don’t often stick up for Tiger I think for the most part he is not very friendly or accommodating to the fans, without those fans no matter how good he is he would not have the fame and future he has. But, Jenkins proved that he may be even worse than what he portrays Tiger as. I think Mr, Jenkins needs to take a hard look in the mirror he may see Tigers face looking back at him. I guess arrogance knows arrogance!!!!!

  32. Rich B

    Nov 20, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    If there were numerous previous interviews between the two and some sort of respect, then this would be an article taken in jest. The fact that there is no previous association is the problem. So it doesn’t really make sense to do.

  33. dabadass

    Nov 20, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    I love these miserable old farts who hate Tiger, especially one who used to write for Play Boy. I’m sick of these “holier than thou” self-righteous attitudes coming from both sides. This is nothing but an angry old codger taking cheap shots at people to keep his career going.

    So my opinion… Tiger kind of made his own bed so should expect some cheap shots. Dan Jenkins should just retire. And finally the guys who should take offense to this are the innocent bystanders Jenkins calls irrelevant because they finished second to Tiger. If I were Colin Montgomery I would just send Dan a copy of my bank statement.

  34. Robeli

    Nov 20, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    What Jenkins did, is no different than what Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert do every weeknight on Comedy Central.

    • Jeff

      Nov 28, 2014 at 4:30 pm

      Except they have an established audience that expects that of them. They are satirists.

      Dan Jenkins’ audience expects to hear about things that are true, about golf.

  35. J Jonah Jonzone

    Nov 20, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    Waste of writing here…do we really have nothing better to talk about?

    Talk about how his rehab going? Or the RSI TP review? Nike Vapor Official Woods review? Anything but this crap…

    • Rich

      Nov 20, 2014 at 7:10 pm

      +1, except TW rehab. Couldn’t care less

      • Jeff

        Nov 28, 2014 at 4:31 pm

        Read a long way into the comments for a guy who couldn’t care less.

  36. Shortgame85

    Nov 20, 2014 at 3:38 pm

    I suggest those who may think Jenkins’ article is in poor taste should read Jonathon Swift, specifically “A Modest Proposal,” in which Swift skewers “..the ineptitude of Ireland’s politicians, the tyranny of the English and the squalor and degradation in which he sees many Irish living.” Jenkins’ article is satire. Woods is a public figure and, as such, is subject to the scrutiny of all kinds of writers, including those who don’t like him. He happens to be well paid for the position in which he finds himself.

  37. mo

    Nov 20, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    FAKE LETTER BY DJ

    Dear Tiger

    Thank you so much for making me a household name. I’m going to sell more books than ever and get more press exposure whenever I write. Thanks so much for making me even more legendary. 😉

    Your bud

    D. Jenko

    • Jafar

      Nov 20, 2014 at 4:06 pm

      Tiger’s Response:

      Dan,

      No problem, I have all the money and fame in the world because I actually did something with my life. I understand you rode the coattails of my historic colleagues and that at the end of your life you have nothing to really show for it.

      • Nick

        Nov 20, 2014 at 4:51 pm

        He wrote (the best golf) movie of all time and a couple fantastic books. Like him or not (I thought his article was lazy and clumsy), he’s seen more golf in his lifetime than every person on this website combined.

        • Jafar

          Nov 21, 2014 at 10:09 am

          Which is kind why it’s disappointing to have him set this precedent.

          If he’s the top sportswriter in the world, then why not act like one.
          He should have done this on Pardon the Interruption when they use faces to act like another person.

          If anything, now would be a good time for both of them to squash the whole thing and do a real interview.

  38. Drew R.

    Nov 20, 2014 at 3:11 pm

    A fair amount of people have shared drinks with jenkins and have some dirt on him. Imagine what a jerk Tiger would look like if he clowned Jenkins on Jeter’s site? Satire shouldn’t be so low brow.

  39. steve

    Nov 20, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    not allowed an opinion on GOLFWRX

  40. Dbuck47

    Nov 20, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    In some courts of equity, two parties will come before the court seeking a resolution of a dispute. In some cases, the court will have no findings and leave the parties as they found them. I think such a resolution is appropriate for these two parties.

  41. enrique

    Nov 20, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    GolfWRX inciting an argument…and then punishing members who get too hot.

  42. Josh

    Nov 20, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    Made the mistake of looking at Jenkins Twitter feed…talk about a cranky old man…he apparently talks smack about everything he either sees. Calling Patrick reed a pro wrestler dressed for sailing? That would make for a good satire though…

  43. Rich

    Nov 20, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    Two articles in a few days a about the same thing? Can’t we just move on please?

  44. ca1879

    Nov 20, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    Jenkins got his nose out of joint because TW wouldn’t treat him like golf royalty and he’s been playing the cranky old man revenge game ever since. TW’s not my favorite character in the world and is partly to blame for this nonsense, but Jenkins is being a jerk. The real villains here are the editors at GD. Hard to believe people still read the golf tabloid.

    • Josh

      Nov 20, 2014 at 2:45 pm

      Exactly…the editors didn’t do their job of ensuring good topic and good writing.

  45. Jose Jimenez

    Nov 20, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    Let me see, people are defending a billionaire who had his “feelings” hurt, the article made fun of actual events, but now people are up in arms about it,,,,,, wonder how many people has Tiger defended? NONE,,,,, in his world it’s all about Tiger,,,,, put you big boy pants on Tiger! Bet Golf Digest LOVES this!

    • Josh

      Nov 20, 2014 at 7:08 pm

      We are going to have to bar you from golfwrx and erase any mention of your posts for that statement.

      Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the uproar here is not tiger making a big deal of the article (in your words being a lil girl), but moreso how low the article quality is…and how weird it is that a serious golf magazine would bash someone who is pretty unrelevant right now instead of covering relevant topics…

      • josh

        Nov 21, 2014 at 12:46 pm

        Sorry…my facist threat as you call it, was a nod to people’s overreaction of the Lil Girl’s comment. I siding with you there…I do think PC overreaction has gone way overboard in our “Twitter/Facebook/everything gets blown out of proportion for 10 seconds…then everyone forgets about it” society.

        Also, I don’t think, nor do I have the authority to ban you from GolfWRX. Again…just a nod to the President of PGA getting erased from the history books for the same comment you made…a decision I don’t really agree with.

        Ironic though…how you didn’t “get” my comment’s comedy and then told ME to get a sense of humor? (and called me a bunch of names to drive home the point that you are a little person, unable to communicate in the real world, so you’ve taken to blowing up on posters in a golf forum…real tough, bruh)

        …I simply think that Jenkins should stick with what he’s good at, and hone his satire in forums less potent than Golf Digest. I don’t think he should be fired…or called out by the PC police…just should take some writing lessons if he plans to make a foray into comedy.

        God Bless you Bubba 😉

  46. Josh

    Nov 20, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    I wish the onion wrote the woods article because I’m sure they could have given this topic a funny satirical treatment. Jenkins just submitted a poorly written article and the publisher didn’t do their job of editing or asking for better….

  47. TR1PTIK

    Nov 20, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    I didn’t find it overly funny, but there was plenty acceptable punch lines and a few that went below the belt. At the end of the day, Jenkins should have been a little more careful with some of it, and Tiger should have just left well enough alone. No one really cared until Tiger voiced his opinion.

  48. Robeli

    Nov 20, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Integrity. Woods lost his in 2010, and now Jenkins lost his. Both will never get it back again. Period.

    • Jafar

      Nov 20, 2014 at 1:36 pm

      I forgot Tiger Woods is the Pope and not a rich sports athlete…

    • Dave S

      Nov 20, 2014 at 1:36 pm

      With that logic as our guide, we should just lock up everyone who’s ever committed a crime and throw away the key… no redemption possible. Come on.

      • Robeli

        Nov 20, 2014 at 9:58 pm

        Hmmmm…. but it’s OK to bash Jenkins, correct? Sounds like double standard.

    • golfiend

      Nov 20, 2014 at 1:38 pm

      It may be that neither had any all along.

    • josh

      Nov 20, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      this is a false comparison…tiger hits a golf ball for a living, integrity is not needed unless found guilty on the course of something(just ask millionare alex rodriguez) and only then it’s a small fine or a DQ.

      Jenkins is a journalist…integrity is actually part of the job description.

      • Dave S

        Nov 20, 2014 at 3:57 pm

        This ^^

      • Robeli

        Nov 21, 2014 at 11:16 pm

        No integrity needed in golf, only journalism? Go read the Rules of Golf, section 1, under “The Spirit of the Game”. You may be surprised what you find there.

        • Josh

          Nov 22, 2014 at 9:36 am

          indidnt say that…I said this article claims tiger is a horrible person “off the clock” which really doesn’t matter to his success in the golf world…obviously unless he looses integrity on the course, which he’d be penalized for.

          Jenkins chose to loose his integrity while working. His integrity AS A JOURNALISTS is in question here. The backlash from readers and tiger himself is fair penalty for that.

  49. golfiend

    Nov 20, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    Tiger is fair game and not someone I would like to know personally. But what Jenkins did was not journalism, and if one would consider it as some type of journalistic writing, it was rather amateurish on a level of a junior high school.

  50. farmer

    Nov 20, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    Not Jenkin’s best work, but big deal. If Tiger ignores it, it’s forgotten already. He should look at some of the Onion stuff.

    • Jafar

      Nov 20, 2014 at 1:22 pm

      If you let one person say something, they everyone will start saying it too.

      For instance, let’s call you stupid and see if you don’t respond.

      It’s no big deal, it’s just a comment on GolfWRX…

    • Carlos Danger

      Nov 20, 2014 at 2:36 pm

      Would you have ignored it if someone wrote that about you? Say, a co worker who you are notoriously not a fan of who was familiar with all of your most sensitive issues going on in your personal life wrote a funny little memo in the same format as this article, and then distributed it around the office…would you just ignore it?

      Or, would you stand up for yourself and be a man (or woman) and let it be known that it is not acceptable to do that to you?

      I know what I would do. And its not ignore it. Im with Tiger on this, whether I like him or not is not the issue…its about sticking up for yourself and more importantly having the right to stand up for yourself without others telling you to just bend over and take it.

  51. J.R.

    Nov 20, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    Loved it.Tiger is D-Bag….

    • Dave S

      Nov 20, 2014 at 1:39 pm

      My (fake) Interview with J.R.

      Me: So how do you feel about people calling you an ugly moron? Have you just accepted that your a stupid person, devoid of all intelligence?

      J.R.: English is esy, Math are hard.

      • C.P.

        Nov 20, 2014 at 2:37 pm

        My fake interview with Dave S.

        Me: Dave do you know the difference between your and you’re? Or have you just accepted that you’re a stupid person, devoid of all intelligence?

        • Josh

          Nov 20, 2014 at 2:59 pm

          My fake interview with C.P.

          Me: does your monogram stand for Cocky Person, or have you just accepted that you are a stupid person devoid of any intelligence?

          • C.P.

            Nov 20, 2014 at 3:34 pm

            Actually Josh i’m very intelligent.

          • Dave S

            Nov 20, 2014 at 3:55 pm

            Well that escalated quickly! I guess C.P. didn’t like Josh making a negative statement about his intelligence, even though Josh doesn’t know C.P., and it was obviously baseless. Weird how that works, huh?! Thank you for making my point. Can’t blame TW for getting pissed.

            Also C.P., are you aware that you’re supposed to capitalize the “I” in “I’m” even in the middle of a sentence? I guess we’ll just have to take your word on how intelligent you are. LOL.

          • jc

            Nov 20, 2014 at 5:05 pm

            This post is 1000% shows what’s wrong with the world today. This is golfwrx people not the grammar police, and if I’ve spelled or incorrectly structured my sentences C.P. save the 5 seconds of you life it will take to try and bash me.

  52. EJR2

    Nov 20, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    Like it or not, Tiger is a public figure that has made a fortune being in the public eye. Having unflattering articles written about you, whether funny or not, is part of the package of being a celebrity. Its our society. You want to make money off the public you have to deal with this type of activity. Toughen up Tiger, if you didn’t want this type of life you could have been a range pro and avoided it.

    • Carlos Danger

      Nov 20, 2014 at 2:38 pm

      True, but are you saying that standing up for yourself is not allowed? Who cares how ignorant, evil, etc…you think Tiger is. It does not matter how funny, right, wrong, etc…you think the article was.

      Its Tigers right to stand up for himself. Why would anyone have a problem with a guy for sticking up for himself, regardless of who he is?

      • dabadass

        Nov 20, 2014 at 4:47 pm

        Baba Booey!

      • Ed Resnick

        Nov 22, 2014 at 10:28 am

        So did he really stand up for himself or just b$&ch that the article was unfair? Id Dan’s satire was based on lies or falsehoods then Tiger could have refuted instead of whine. And as many people have pointed out by “standing up” for himself all he did was give this story enormous legs. So why did Tiger respond, it wasn’t to stand up for himself, it was his ego.

  53. wendell

    Nov 20, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    This is a perfect example of why I cancelled my Golf Digest subscription. This “make believe” story Jenkins wrote sounds almost as bad as putting Dustin’s old lady on the cover. “Sounds” is the key word in my statement because I wont waste my time reading such crap.

  54. Jafar

    Nov 20, 2014 at 12:36 pm

    On the side of what.

    Some writer still trying to find significance in his own life, or the worlds best golfer ever?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

19th Hole

Vincenzi’s 2024 Valspar Championship betting preview: Elite ballstrikers to thrive at Copperhead

Published

on

The PGA TOUR will stay in Florida this week for the 2024 Valspar Championship.

The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort is a par 71 measuring 7,340 yards and features Bermudagrass greens overseeded with POA. Infamous for its difficulty, the track will be a tough test for golfers as trouble lurks all over the place. Holes 16, 17 and 18 — also known as the “Snake Pit” — make up one of the toughest three-hole stretches in golf and should lead to a captivating finish on Sunday.

The field is comprised of 156 golfers teeing it up. The field this week is solid and is a major improvement over last year’s field that felt the impact of players skipping due to a handful of “signature events” in a short span of time. 

Past Winners at Valspar Championship

  • 2023: Taylor Moore (-10)
  • 2022: Sam Burns (-17)
  • 2021: Sam Burns (-17)
  • 2019: Paul Casey (-8)
  • 2018: Paul Casey (-10)
  • 2017: Adam Hadwin (-14)
  • 2016: Charl Schwartzel (-7)
  • 2015: Jordan Spieth (-10)

In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value). 

Key Stats For Copperhead

1. Strokes Gained: Approach

Strokes Gained: Approach grades out as the most important statistic once again this week. Copperhead really can’t be overpowered and is a second-shot golf course.

Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds (per round)

  1. Tony Finau (+.90)
  2. Nick Taylor (+.81)
  3. Justin Thomas (+.77)
  4. Greyson Sigg (+.69)
  5. Christiaan Bezuidenhout (+.67)

2. Good Drive %

The long hitters can be a bit limited here due to the tree-lined fairways and penal rough. Playing from the fairways will be important, but laying back too far will cause some difficult approaches with firm greens that may not hold shots from long irons.

Golfers who have a good balance of distance and accuracy have the best chance this week.

Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds

  1. Brice Garnett (+91.3%) 
  2. Zach Johnson (+91.1%)
  3. Sam Ryder (+90.5%)
  4. Ryan Moore (+90.4%)
  5. Aaron Rai (+89.7%)

3. Strokes Gained: Ball Striking

Adding ball-striking puts even more of a premium on tee-to-green prowess in the statistical model this week. Golfers who rank highly in ball-striking are in total control of the golf ball which is exceedingly important at Copperhead.

SG: Ball Striking Over Past 24 Rounds:

  1. Xander Schauffele (+1.32)
  2. Keith Mitchell (+1.29)
  3. Tony Finau (+1.24)
  4. Cameron Young (+1.17) 
  5. Doug Ghim (+.95)

4. Bogey Avoidance

With the conditions likely to be difficult, avoiding bogeys will be crucial this week. In a challenging event like the Valspar, oftentimes the golfer who is best at avoiding mistakes ends up on top.

Gritty golfers who can grind out difficult pars have a much better chance in an event like this than a low-scoring birdie-fest.

Bogey Avoidance Over Past 24 Rounds

  1. Brice Garnett (+9.0)
  2. Xander Schauffele (+9.3)
  3. Austin Cook (+9.7) 
  4. Chesson Hadley (+10.0)
  5. Greyson Sigg (+10.2)

5. Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions

Conditions will be tough this week at Copperhead. I am looking for golfers who can rise to the occasion if the course plays as difficult as it has in the past.

Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions Over Past 24 rounds

  1. Xander Schauffele (+1,71) 
  2. Min Woo Lee (+1.39)
  3. Cameron Young (+1.27)
  4. Jordan Spieth (+1.08)
  5. Justin Suh (+.94)

6. Course History

That statistic will tell us which players have played well at Copperhead in the past.

Course History Over Past 24 rounds

  1. Patrick Cantlay (+3.75) 
  2. Sam Burns (+2.49)
  3. Davis Riley (+2.33)
  4. Matt NeSmith (+2.22)
  5. Jordan Spieth (+2.04)

The Valspar Championship Model Rankings

Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), Good Drive % (15%), SG: BS (20%), Bogeys Avoided (13%), Course History (13%) Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions (12%).

  1. Xander Schauffele
  2. Doug Ghim
  3. Victor Perez
  4. Greyson Sigg
  5. Ryan Moore
  6. Tony Finau
  7. Justin Thomas
  8. Sam Ryder
  9. Sam Burns
  10. Lucas Glover

2024 Valspar Championship Picks

Justin Thomas +1400 (DraftKings)

Justin Thomas will be disappointed with his finish at last week’s PLAYERS Championship, as the past champion missed the cut despite being in some decent form heading into the event. Despite the missed cut, JT hit the ball really well. In his two rounds, the two-time major champion led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach per round.

Thomas has been up and down this season. He’s missed the cut in two “signature events” but also has finishes of T12 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T12 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, T6 at the Pebble Beach AT&T Pro-Am and T3 at the American Express. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach and 6th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking in the field.

Thomas loves Copperhead. In his last three tries at the course, he’s finished T13, T3 and T10. Thomas would have loved to get a win at a big event early in the season, but avoidable mistakes and a balky putter have cost him dearly. I believe a trip to a course he loves in a field he should be able to capitalize on is the right recipe for JT to right the ship.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout +6000 (FanDuel)

Christiaan Bezuidenhout is playing spectacular golf in the 2024 season. He finished 2nd at the American Express, T20 at Pebble Beach and T24 at the Genesis Invitational before finishing T13 at last week’s PLAYERS Championship.

In his past 24 rounds, the South African ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach and 26th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. Bezuidenhout managed to work his way around TPC Sawgrass last week with minimal damage. He only made five bogeys in the entire week, which is a great sign heading into a difficult Copperhead this week.

Bezuidenhout is winless in his PGA Tour career, but certainly has the talent to win on Tour. His recent iron play tells me that this week could be a breakthrough for the 35-year-old who has eyes on the President’s Cup.

Doug Ghim +8000 (FanDuel)

Doug Ghim has finished in the top-16 of his past five starts. Most recently, Ghim finished T16 at The PLAYERS Championship in a loaded field.

In his past 24 rounds, Ghim ranks 8th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 5th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. In terms of his fit for Copperhead, the 27-year-old ranks 12th in Bogey Avoidance and 7th in Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions, making him a great fit for the course.

Ghim has yet to win on Tour, but at one point he was the top ranked Amateur golfer in the world and played in the 2017 Arnold Palmer Cup and 2017 Walker Cup. He then won the Ben Hogan award for the best male college golfer in 2018. He certainly has the talent, and there are signals aplenty that his talent in ready to take him to the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour.

Sepp Straka +8000 (BetRivers)

Sepp Straka is a player who’s shown he has the type of game that can translate to a difficult Florida golf course. The former Presidents Cup participant won the 2022 Honda Classic in tough conditions and should thrive with a similar test at Copperhead.

It’s been a slow 2024 for Straka, but his performance last week at the PLAYERS Championship surely provides some optimism. He gained 5.4 strokes on approach as well as 1.88 strokes off the tee. The tee-to-green game Straka showed on a course with plenty of danger demonstrates that he can stay in control of his golf ball this week.

It’s possible that the strong performance last week was an outlier, but I’m willing to bet on a proven winner in a weaker field at a great number.

Victor Perez +12000 (FanDuel)

Victor Perez is no stranger to success in professional golf. The Frenchman has three DP World Tour wins including a Rolex Series event. He won the 2019 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, as well as the 2023 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which are some big events.

Perez earned his PGA Tour card this season and enters the week playing some fantastic golf. He finished in a tie for 16th in Florida at the Cognizant Classic and then tied for third in his most recent start at the Puerto Rico Open.

In his past 24 rounds in the field, Perez ranks 11th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 1oth in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking, 6th in Good Drive % and 15th in Bogey Avoidance.

Perez comes in as a perfect fit for Copperhead and offers serious value at triple-digit odds.

Your Reaction?
  • 10
  • LEGIT2
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB1
  • SHANK4

Continue Reading

Opinion & Analysis

Myrtle Beach, Explored: February in South Carolina

Published

on

As I gain in experience and age, and familiarity breeds neither contempt nor disdain, I understand why people return to a place. A destination like Myrtle Beach offers a sizable supply and diversity of restaurants, entertainment venues, and shops that are predicated on the tenets of the service industry. Greet your customers with a smile and a kind word, and they will find comfort and assurance. Provide them with a memorable experience and they will suggest your place of business to others.

My first tour of Myrtle Beach took place in the mid-1980s, and consisted of one course: Gator Hole. I don’t remember much from that day, and since Gator Hole closed a decade later, I cannot revisit it to recollect what I’d lost. Since then, I’ve come to the Grand Strand a few times, and been fortunate to never place a course more than once. I’ve seen the Strantz courses to the south and dipped my toe in the North Carolina courses of Calabash. I’ve been to many in the middle, including Dunes, Pine Lakes, Grande Dunes among them.

2024 brought a quartet of new courses, including two at the Barefoot Resort. I’d heard about the North Myrtle Beach four-pack of courses that highlight the Barefoot property, including layouts from Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Davis Love III, and Greg Norman. I had the opportunity to play and shoot the Dye and Fazio tracks, which means that I’ll have to return to see the other two. Sandwiched between them were the TPC-Myrtle Beach course, also from Tom Fazio, and the Pawley’s Plantation trace, by the hand of Jack Nicklaus. I anticipated a bit of the heroic, and bit of the strategic, and plenty of eye candy. None of those architects would ever be considered a minimalist, so there would be plenty of in-play and out-of-play bunkers and mounds to tantalize the senses.

My nephew arrived a few days early, to screen a few more courses. As a result, you the reader will have an extra quarter of mini-reviews, bringing the total of courses in this piece to eight. It was inconceivable that CJR would play four courses that I had never played nor photographed, but that was the case. His words appear at the end of this piece. We hope that you enjoy the tour.

Main Feature: Two Barefoots, a TPC, and Pawley’s Plantation

Barefoot Dye

What Paul “Pete” Dye brought back from his trips to the United Kingdom, hearkened back to what C.B. MacDonal did, some 65 years prior. There is a way of finding bunkers and fairways, and even green sites, that does not require major industrial work. The Dye course at Barefoot Resorts takes you on a journey over the rumpled terrain of distant places. If there’s one element missing, it’s the creased and turbulent fairways, so often found in England and Ireland. The one tenet of playing a Dye course, is to always aim away from temptation, from where your eyes draw you. Find the safe side of the target, and you’ll probably find your ball. It then stands that you will have a shot for your next attempt. Cut the corner, and you might have need to reload. The Barefoot course begins gently, in terms of distance, but challenges with visual deception. After two brief 4s and a 3, the real work begins. The course is exposed enough, to allow the coastal winds to dance along the fairways. Be ready to keep the ball low and take an extra club or two.

TPC-Myrtle Beach

If memory serves, TPCMB is my first trek around a TPC-branded course. It had all the trappings of a tour course, from the welcome, through the clubhouse, to the practice facilities and, of course, the course. TPC-Myrtle Beach is a Tom Fazio design, and if you never visit Augusta National, you’ll now have an idea of what it is like. You play Augusta’s 16th hole twice at TPCMB, and you enjoy it both times. Fazio really likes the pond-left, green-angle-around par three hole, and his two iterations of it are memorable.

You’ll also see those Augusta bunkers, the ones with the manicured edges that drop into a modestly-circular form. What distinguishes these sand pits is the manner in which they rise from the surrounding ground. They are unique in that they don’t resemble the geometric bunkering of a Seth Raynor, nor the organic pits found in origin courses. They are built, make no mistake, and recovery from them is manageable for all levels of bunker wizardry.

Barefoot Fazio

If you have the opportunity to play the two Tom Fazio courses back to back, you’ll notice a marked difference in styling. Let me digress for a moment, then circle back with an explanation. It was written that the NLE World Woods course designed by Fazio, Pine Barrens, was an homage to Pine Valley, the legendary, New Jersey club where Fazio is both a member and the architect on retainer. The Pine Barrens course was plowed under in 2022, so the homage no longer exists. At least, I didn’t think that it existed, until I played his Barefoot Resort course in North Myrtle Beach.

Pine Valley might be described as an aesthetic of scrub and sand. There are mighty, forced carries to travers, along with sempiternal, sandy lairs to avoid. Barefoot Fazio is quite similar. If you’re not faced with a forced carry, you’ll certainly contend with a fairway border or greenside necklace of sand. When you reach the 13th tee, you’ll face a drive into a fairway, and you might see a distant green, with a notable absence: flagstick. The 13th is the icing on the homage cake, a callout of the 8th hole at Pine Valley. Numero Ocho at the OG has two greens, side by side, and they change the manner in which the hole plays (so they say.) At Barefoot Fazio, the right-side green is a traditional approach, with an unimpeded run of fairway to putting surface. The left-side green (the one that I was fortunate to play) demands a pitch shot over a wasteland. It’s a fitting tribute for the rest of us to play.

Be certain to parrot the starter, Leon’s, advice, and play up a deck of tees. Barefoot Fazio offers five par-three holes, so the fours and fives play that much longer. Remember, too, that you are on vacation. Why not treat yourself to some birdie looks?

Pawley’s Plantation

The Jack Nicklaus course at Pawley’s Plantation emerged from a period of hibernation in 2024. The greens were torn up and their original contours were restored. Work was overseen by Troy Vincent, a member of the Nicklaus Architecture team. In addition, the putting corridors were reseeded with a hardier, dwarf bermuda that has experienced great success, all along the Grand Strand that is Myrtle Beach.

My visit allowed me to see the inward half first, and I understand why the resort wishes to conclude your day on those holes. The front nine of Pawley’s Plantation works its way through familiar, low country trees and wetlands. The back nine begins in similar fashion, then makes its way east, toward the marsh that separates mainland from Pawley’s Island. Recalling the powerful sun of that Wednesday morning, any round beginning on the second nine would face collateral damage from the warming star. Much better to hit holes 11 to close when the sun is higher in the sky.

The marshland holes (12 through 17) are spectacular in their raw, unprotected nature. The winds off the Atlantic are unrelenting and unforgiving, and the twin, par-three holes will remain in your memory banks for time’s march. In typical Golden Bear fashion, a majority of his putting targets are smallish in nature, reflecting his appreciation for accurate approach shots. Be sure to find the forgiving side of each green, and err to that portion. You’ll be grateful.

Bonus Coverage: Myrtlewood, Beechwood, Arrowhead, and King’s North

Arrowhead (Raymond Floyd and Tom Jackson)

A course built in the middle of a community, water threatens on most every hole. The Cypress 9 provides a few holes forcing a carried drive then challenge you with water surrounding the green. On Waterway, a drivable 2nd hole will tempt most, so make sure the group ahead has cleared the green.

Myrtlewood (Edmund Alt and Arthur Hills) and Beechwood (Gene Hamm)

A middle of the winter New Englander’s paradise. Wide open fairways, zero blind shots and light rough allow for shaking off the rust and plenty of forgiveness. A plethora of dog legs cause one to be cautious with every tee shot. Won’t break the bank nor the scorecard.

King’s North @ Myrtle Beach National (Arnold Palmer)

A signature Arnold Palmer course, waste areas, island greens and daring tee shots. Highlighted by the 4th hole Par 5 Gambler hole, if you can hit the smaller fairway on the left you are rewarded with a short approach to get to the green in 2. The back 9 is highlighted by an island green par 3 and a finisher with over 40 bunkers spread throughout. A challenge for any golfer.
Your Reaction?
  • 2
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB0
  • SHANK1

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Vincenzi’s 2024 Players Championship betting preview: Pete Dye specialists ready to pass tough TPC Sawgrass test

Published

on

The PGA Tour heads to TPC Sawgrass to play in one of the most prestigious and important events of the season: THE PLAYERS Championship. Often referred to as the fifth major, the importance of a PLAYERS victory to the legacy of a golfer can’t be overlooked.

TPC Sawgrass is a par-72 measuring 7,245 yards and featuring Bermudagrass greens. Golfers must be patient in attacking this Pete Dye course.

With trouble lurking at every turn, the strokes can add up quickly. With a par-5 16th that is a true risk-reward hole and the famous par-3 17th island green, the only safe bet at TPC Sawgrass is a bet on an exciting finish.

THE PLAYERS Championship field is often referred to as the strongest field of the year — and with good reason. There are 144 in the field, including 43 of the world’s top 50 players in the OWGR. Tiger Woods will not be playing in the event.

THE PLAYERS is an exceptionally volatile event that has never seen a back-to-back winner.

Past Winners at TPC Sawgrass

  • 2023: Scottie Scheffler (-17)
  • 2022: Cameron Smith (-13)
  • 2021: Justin Thomas (-14)
  • 2019: Rory McIlroy (-16)
  • 2018: Webb Simpson (-18)
  • 2017: Si-Woo Kim (-10)
  • 2016: Jason Day (-15)
  • 2015: Rickie Fowler (-12)In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value). 

5 Key Stats for TPC Sawgrass

Let’s take a look at five metrics key for TPC Sawgrass to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds.

1. Strokes Gained: Approach

Strokes Gained: Approach has historically been far and away the most important and predictive stat at THE PLAYERS Championship. With water everywhere, golfers can’t afford to be wild with their iron shots. Not only is it essential to avoid the water, but it will also be as important to go after pins and make birdies because scores can get relatively low.

Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds

  1. Tom Hoge (+1.37) 
  2. Scottie Scheffler (+1.20)
  3. Tony Finau (+0.99)
  4. Jake Knapp (+0.83)
  5. Shane Lowry (+0.80)

2. Total Driving

This statistic is perfect for TPC Sawgrass. Historically, driving distance hasn’t been a major factor, but since the date switch to March, it’s a bit more significant. During this time of year, the ball won’t carry quite as far, and the runout is also shorter.

Driving accuracy is also crucial due to all of the trouble golfers can get into off of the tee. Therefore, players who are gaining on the field with Total Driving will put themselves in an ideal spot this week.

Total Driving Over Past 24 Rounds

  1. Rory McIlroy (22)
  2. Akshay Bhatia (25)
  3. Keith Mitchell (25) 
  4. Adam Hadwin (34)
  5. Sam Burns (+39)

3. Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye Designs

TPC Sawgrass may be Pete Dye’s most famous design, and for good reason. The course features Dye’s typical shaved runoff areas and tricky green complexes.  Pete Dye specialists love TPC Sawgrass and should have a major advantage this week.

SG: Total (Pete Dye) per round over past 36 rounds:

  1. Patrick Cantlay (+2.02)
  2. Scottie Scheffler (+1.90)
  3. Min Woo Lee (+1.77) 
  4. Sungjae Im (+1.72)
  5. Brian Harman (+1.62) 

4. Strokes Gained: Ball Striking

Prototypical ball-strikers have dominated TPC Sawgrass. With past winners like Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Webb Simpson, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, it’s evident that golfers must be striking it pure to contend at THE PLAYERS.

SG: Ball Striking Over Past 24 Rounds

  1. Scottie Scheffler (+2.02)
  2. Tony Finau (+1.51)
  3. Tom Hoge (+1.48)
  4. Keith Mitchell (+1.38)
  5. Will Zalatoris (+1.18)

5. Par 5 Average

Par-5 average is extremely important at TPC Sawgrass. With all four of the Par-5s under 575 yards, and three of them under 540 yards, a good amount of the scoring needs to come from these holes collectively.

Par 5 Average Over Past 24 Rounds

  1. Scottie Schefler (+4.31)
  2. Erik Van Rooyen (+4.35)
  3. Doug Ghim (+4.34)
  4. Wyndham Clark (+4.34)
  5. Matt Fitzpatrick (+4.31)

6. Strokes Gained: Florida

We’ve used this statistic over the past few weeks, and I’d like to incorporate some players who do well in Florida into this week’s model as well. 

Strokes Gained: Florida over past 30 rounds:

  1. Scottie Schefler (+2.43)
  2. Erik Van Rooyen (+1.78)
  3. Doug Ghim (+1.78)
  4. Wyndham Clark (+1.73)
  5. Matt Fitzpatrick (+1.69)

7. Strokes Gained: Total on Courses with High Water Danger

With water everywhere at TPC Sawgrass, the blow-up potential is high. It can’t hurt to factor in some players who’ve avoided the “eject” button most often in the past. 

Strokes Gained: Total on Courses with High Water Danger over past 30 rounds:

  1. Scottie Schefler (+2.08)
  2. Rory McIlroy (+1.82)
  3. Tony Finau (+1.62)
  4. Patrick Cantlay (+1.51)
  5. Will Zalatoris (+1.49)

THE PLAYERS Championship Model Rankings

Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (25%), Total Driving (20%), SG: Total Pete Dye (14%), SG: Ball-striking (15%) SG: Par 5 (8%), SG: Florida (10%) and SG: High Water (8%).

  1. Scottie Scheffler 
  2. Shane Lowry 
  3. Tony Finau 
  4. Corey Conners
  5. Keith Mitchell
  6. Justin Thomas
  7. Will Zalatoris
  8. Xander Schauffele
  9. Cameron Young
  10. Doug Ghim
  11. Sam Burns 
  12. Chris Kirk
  13. Collin Morikawa
  14. Si Woo Kim
  15. Wyndham Clark

2024 THE PLAYERS Championship Picks

(All odds at the time of writing)

Patrick Cantlay +2500 (DraftKings):

Patrick Cantlay is winless since the 2022 BMW Championship but is undoubtedly one of the most talented players on the PGA Tour. Since the win at Wilmington Country Club, the 31-year-old has twelve top-10 finishes on Tour and is starting to round into form for the 2024 season.

Cantlay has done well in the most recent “signature” events this season, finishing 4th at Riviera for the Genesis Invitational and 12th at Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The former Tour Championship winner resides in Jupiter, Florida and has played some good golf in the state, including finishing in a tie for 4th at the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational. His history at TPC Sawgrass has been up and down, but his best career start at The PLAYERS came last year when he finished in a tie for 19th.

Cantlay absolutely loves Pete Dye designed courses and ranks 1st in the field in Strokes Gained: Total on Dye tracks in his past 36 rounds. In recent years, he’s been excellent at both the RBC Heritage and the Travelers Championship. TPC Sawgrass is a place where players will have to be dialed in with their irons and distance off the tee won’t be quite as important. In his past 24, rounds, Cantlay ranks in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach.

Despite being winless in recent years, I still believe Cantlay is capable of winning big tournaments. As one of the only United States players to bring their best game to Marco Simone for the Ryder Cup, I have conviction that the former top amateur in the world can deliver when stakes are high.

Will Zalatoris +3000 (FanDuel):

In order to win at TPC Sawgrass, players will need to be in total control of their golf ball. At the moment, Will Zalatoris is hitting it as well as almost anyone and finally has the putter cooperating with his new switch to the broomstick style.

Zalatoris is coming off back-to-back starts where he absolutely striped the ball. He finished 2nd at the Genesis Invitational and 4th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational where his statistics were eye opening. For the week at Bay Hill, Zal gained 5.0 strokes on approach and 5.44 strokes off the tee.

Throughout the early part of his career, Zalatoris has established himself by playing his best golf in the strongest fields with the most difficult conditions. A tough test will allow him to separate himself this week and breakthrough for a PLAYERS Championship victory.

Shane Lowry +4000 (DraftKings):

History has shown us that players need to be in good form to win the PLAYERS Championship and it’s hard to find anyone not named Scottie Scheffler who’s in better form that Shane Lowry at the moment. He finished T4 at the Cognizant Classic followed by a solo third place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The fact that the Irishman contended at Bay Hill is a great sign considering he’s really struggled there throughout his career. He will now head to a different style of course in Florida where he’s had a good deal of success. He finished 8th at TPC Sawgrass in 2021 and 13th in 2022. 

Lowry ranks 6th in the field in approach in his past 24 rounds, 7th in Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye designed courses in his last 30 rounds, 8th in par 5 scoring this season, and 4th in Strokes Gained: Total in Florida over his past 36 rounds.

Lowry is a player who’s capable of winning big events. He’s a major champion and won another premier event at Wentworth as well as a WGC at Firestone. He’s also a form player, when he wins it’s typically when he’s contended in recent starts. He’s been terrific thus far in Florida and he should get into contention once again this week.

Brian Harman +8000 (DraftKings):

(Note: Since writing this Harman’s odds have plummeted to 50-1. I would not advise betting the 50).

Brian Harman showed us last season that if the course isn’t extremely long, he has the accuracy both off the tee and with his irons to compete with anyone in the world. Last week at Bay Hill and was third in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, gaining 5.54 strokes on the field in the category.

In addition to the strong iron play, Harman also gained strokes off the tee in three of four rounds. He’s also had success at Pete Dye tracks recently. He finished 2nd at last year’s Travelers Championship and 7th at the RBC Heritage.

It would be a magnificent feat for Harman to win both the Open Championship and PLAYERS in a short time frame, but the reality is the PGA Tour isn’t quite as strong as it once was. Harman is a player who shows up for the biggest events and his odds seem way too long for his recent track record.

Tony Finau +6500 (FanDuel):

A few weeks ago, at the Genesis Invitational, I bet Hideki Matsuyama because I believed it to be a “bet the number” play at 80-1. I feel similarly about Finau this week. While he’s not having the season many people expected of him, he is playing better than these odds would indicate.

This season, Tony has a tied for 6th place finish at Torrey Pines, a tied for 19th at Riviera and tied for 13th at the Mexico Open. He’s also hitting the ball extremely well. In the field in his past 24 rounds, he ranks 3rd in Strokes Gained: Approach, 3rd in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking, 6th in Par 5 average and 15th in Total Driving.

Finau’s problem has been with the putter, which has been undeniably horrific. However, this week he will see a putting surface similar to the POA at TPC Scottsdale and PGA West, which he’s had a great deal of success on. It’s worth taking a stab at this price to see if he can have a mediocre week with the flat stick.

Sungjae Im +9000 (FanDuel):

It’s been a lackluster eighteen months for Sungjae, who once appeared to be a certain star. While his ceiling is absolutely still there, it’s been a while since we’ve seen Im play the type of golf expected of a player with his talent.

Despite the obvious concerns, the South Korean showed glimpses of a return to form last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He tied for 18th place and gained strokes off the tee, on approach, around the green and with the putter. When at his best, Im is a perfect course fit for TPC Sawgrass. He has remarkable precision off the tee, can get dialed in with his irons on shorter courses and can get up and down with the best players on Tour.

This number has gotten to the point where I feel comfortable taking a shot on it.

Billy Horschel +20000 (FanDuel):

Billy Horschel is a great fit on paper for TPC Sawgrass. He can get dialed in with his irons and his lack of distance off the tee won’t be a major detriment at the course. “Bermuda Billy” does his best work putting on Bermudagrass greens and he appears to be rounding into form just in time to compete at The PLAYERS.

In his most recent start, Billy finished in a tie for 9th at the Cognizant Classic and hit the ball extremely well. The former Florida Gator gained 3.32 strokes on approach and 2.04 strokes off the tee. If Horschel brings that type of ball striking to TPC Sawgrass, he has the type of putter who can win a golf tournament.

Horschel has been great on Pete Dye designed courses, with four of his seven career PGA Tour wins coming on Dye tracks.

In a season that has seen multiple long shots win big events, the 37-year-old is worth a stab considering his knack for playing in Florida and winning big events.

 

Your Reaction?
  • 30
  • LEGIT10
  • WOW4
  • LOL2
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP3
  • OB1
  • SHANK6

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending