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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Jim H
Apr 4, 2017 at 11:46 am
Such a “surprise” announcement
Dave R
Apr 3, 2017 at 9:42 pm
OMG who cares. REALLY !!
Tom54
Apr 3, 2017 at 7:48 pm
I understand he say he is not tournament ready but I don’t know why he doesn’t go have some fun, play the best he can and give fans who still love him the opportunity to watch him. If he would open up and be honest and not really care about what he shoots he would gain a lot of credibility and humility. We all know how great he was no denying that. But I agree that the secrecy around him and his injuries is a bit troubling
ButchT
Apr 3, 2017 at 6:46 pm
I think his withdrawing is comical.
Pilko
Apr 3, 2017 at 2:05 pm
Personally I think it’s the correct decision for Tiger and for golf, as much as I like the phenomena of Tiger playing and even better at the Masters. It’s beneficial to golf that the week isn’t centred around another ‘Tiger Return’ and instead we can see other stories break through. Added to this I don’t feel like we are getting the whole story about Tiger and something is being hidden about his condition.
JR
Apr 2, 2017 at 9:06 am
who really gives a chit about tiger anymore?? He is toast, done, kaput!!
ND Hickman
Apr 2, 2017 at 5:09 am
Seriously, can we please do away with the SHANK and LOL prefix on article pictures. It’s petty and simply plays up to the Tiger-basher crowd.
BB
Apr 2, 2017 at 11:49 am
Are you seriously triggered by a Tiger Woods article being shanked? SMH
ND Hickman
Apr 3, 2017 at 8:49 am
Nope, I’ve said it was a silly addition since day one. It literally serves no purpose other than trolling.
Lc
Apr 1, 2017 at 7:48 pm
Just don’t understand people guy was dominate and great to watch just as any athlete that’s purely competitive and not for the money. He had no other impact on my life nor any of the others that try to bash him.
Lc
Apr 1, 2017 at 7:44 pm
Ball licker…lol…I get it…lol… funny…read article about a guy and that’s what comes to ur mind. Lol….
KJ
Apr 1, 2017 at 1:40 pm
Sad to see such a great player have the game taken away from him b/c of injuries. He should start to think about taking an extended leave of absence and just rest his back for another year. Let it heal as much as possible. Give it one more go and if it doesn’t work out, retire.
Tom
Apr 1, 2017 at 12:04 pm
Jack’s record is safe.
Reebs
Apr 1, 2017 at 12:00 pm
Aprils fool?
BC
Apr 1, 2017 at 11:23 am
He knew he wouldn’t be playing. He has been history for a long time now.
Shallowface
Apr 1, 2017 at 11:04 am
There are things that cannot be bought, even if one has a billion dollars.
Rich Douglas
Apr 1, 2017 at 10:42 am
Of COURSE he isn’t playing. Neither am I. And both had the same probability: zero.
ooffa
Apr 1, 2017 at 6:54 am
BTW he’s not playing in The Players Championship, The British Open, The PGA or the US Open.
I hope I didn’t scoop your news team with these revelations.
Fat Perez
Apr 1, 2017 at 6:52 am
Shocker!!! Lol!
The dude
Apr 1, 2017 at 6:01 am
The real question….when will he retire…this year or next.
Shallowface
Apr 1, 2017 at 11:06 am
Never. It’s irrelevant.
The dude
Apr 1, 2017 at 5:59 am
But …that Bridgestone ball..and TM protos…
TONEY P
Apr 1, 2017 at 5:42 am
Wasn’t something we didn’t know. Tiger will be missed. Maybe some others should get out too.
Mark
Apr 1, 2017 at 5:03 am
And tomorrow is Sunday. Yawn.
Mr Muira
Apr 1, 2017 at 4:57 am
At least Elvis Presley has the decency to rock up.
Johnnylongballz
Apr 1, 2017 at 3:46 am
No announcement was necessary.
Wedge Chunk
Apr 1, 2017 at 12:47 am
Arnold Palmer wont be there either.
clowone
Apr 1, 2017 at 4:07 am
Too soon man, too soon
Bert
Apr 1, 2017 at 8:46 am
Callous comparison.
Looper
Apr 1, 2017 at 2:44 pm
Out of bounds man!!!
Big Mike
Mar 31, 2017 at 11:51 pm
He is done. Great memories of the Tiger of old but today’s Tiger has been tamed by mother nature and physical limitations. Thank you Tiger for the memories and all you have done for the game. Wishing you the best
Moonman
Mar 31, 2017 at 11:19 pm
I heard Tiger is going to play next year at the Masters. Cant wait!!!!!!
Jason
Mar 31, 2017 at 10:26 pm
Maybe he could just be an Honorary Starter.
Dat
Mar 31, 2017 at 10:08 pm
close the comments, this is gonna get ugly.
ooffa
Mar 31, 2017 at 8:52 pm
Of course he’s not. No one thought he would.
JR
Apr 1, 2017 at 12:00 am
except tiger ball lickers