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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Nigel Kent
Jul 24, 2017 at 2:28 am
Now we know he missed the cut without a driver, maybe it’s time he admitted he needs lessons . Can’t keep it on the fairway with any driver Callaway can make him ‘ must be the club, right ?
Mike Hunt
Jul 20, 2017 at 10:29 am
Let’s tell the real story- Phil had to pawn his driver so he could front the millions he has bet on him self, so when he wins the Open he can swim in money.
Matt
Jul 20, 2017 at 4:12 am
Go lefty. Easy to drive it OB judging by the wet windy first round so far. Won’t be surprised if a lot of drivers are banished this week and everyone is at the practice tee perfecting worm burners.
Dave
Jul 19, 2017 at 9:08 pm
Wonder what it is about having a keyboard in front of them that makes some guys feel the need to try to act like a tough guy when in reality they probably live in their parents basement and still get tucked in by their mommies.
Lloyd
Jul 19, 2017 at 6:23 pm
I feel your pain. Ignorance hurts.
Dave R
Jul 19, 2017 at 3:54 pm
More of the same old same old re Phil. leave his family out of this please. It’s his decision to do what he feels is right. And when it comes to his family that’s his business .
Roger in NZ
Jul 19, 2017 at 2:29 pm
Go Phil !! Wish you the Best in a Winning Result.
Jack
Jul 19, 2017 at 1:01 pm
Please don’t post anymore.
Dave
Jul 19, 2017 at 11:55 am
Maybe that is why he still has a family!!
Ryan
Jul 19, 2017 at 11:14 am
He has used that putter on and off since 2011. It’s an odyssey 9 black series with a different face mill than retail. For some reason, come July he tends to test that putter at the Scottish and The Open. Nearly won in 2011 using it at St George’s.
ND Hickman
Jul 19, 2017 at 10:20 am
Maybe he’s putting the XHot 3Deep back in his bag.
Gordy
Jul 19, 2017 at 9:58 am
After reading every comment, you guys are awfully cynical towards this article. You do realize that this is a golf website and in reality nothing it reports is very important and this is what this site reports correct?? The driving iron is way overrated but I will tell you I own a Callaway XHOT Deep 13.5 and it does keep the ball lower with less spin which makes it run out. With roll, I hit is as far as my driver. However, it is a draw bias an has a mean hook when it is swung improperly.
John the Merlin
Jul 19, 2017 at 5:07 pm
Not important? What??? NOOOO!!!!!!!
Teaj
Jul 19, 2017 at 9:56 am
I am just throwing it out there but could he be trying a milled face putter due to the speed of the greens being slower?
JOEL GOODMAN
Jul 19, 2017 at 9:24 am
IT AINT THE ARROW -IT’S THE INDIAN…SOMEBODY TELL PHIL………………………..
Aaron
Jul 19, 2017 at 9:02 am
Phil said he has the same phrankenwood in the bag this week as he had in 2013, not the Epic Sub zero
I bogey alot
Jul 19, 2017 at 8:18 am
ya darn his family right? The people that mean more to him and love him no matter what , he should just part ways with them like he did bones huh!
John Grossi
Jul 19, 2017 at 7:57 am
Who’s his caddie?
Travis
Jul 19, 2017 at 9:25 am
His brother
Jacked_Loft
Jul 19, 2017 at 7:51 am
As he’s been missing so many fairways recently with the driver, this may work out good for him.
chris
Jul 19, 2017 at 6:01 am
Don’t think this is his first rodeo, pretty sure he knows (Cog)
SLDR stinger
Jul 19, 2017 at 1:55 am
I mash it real good with the lowest spinning driver set up
BJB
Jul 18, 2017 at 10:31 pm
what arthritis meds and statins is he bringing with him?
sam
Jul 19, 2017 at 1:48 am
That is really weak. What a pathetic life you must live …
John Krug
Jul 19, 2017 at 7:51 am
Pathetic comment.
3 metal stinger
Jul 18, 2017 at 6:39 pm
I am now dumber after reading this
John Krug
Jul 19, 2017 at 8:01 am
Most?
Matt
Jul 20, 2017 at 4:24 am
Good thinking. Might have to bag the old Hogan 1i and persimmon for a practice alongside the Epic and see if it helps my crap swing.