News

Phil Mickelson: Playing courses like Le Golf National “is a waste of my time”

Published

6 years ago

Oct 5, 2018

After lighting up the Safeway Open on Thursday afternoon with a round of 65, Phil Mickelson gave an interesting interview after finishing his round. While discussing his impressive opening round of seven-under par around Silverado Country Club, Mickelson talked about his experience at last week’s Ryder Cup and the course itself, Le Golf National. When questioned about the bitter fallout that continues to rumble on from the U.S. camp, Mickelson described the team unity of the American side last week as “one of the best weeks of team unity that he’s seen from a U.S. side”.

Mickelson also commented on Le Golf National, and how it’s a golf course that “is a waste of time my time to play”. When asked directly about the struggles of the U.S. side at the host course of last week’s Ryder Cup, Mickelson stated:

“The fact is that they had brutal rough, almost unplayable, and it’s not the way I play. Here (Silverado CC), I can miss some fairways, and it’s playable. I’m 48; I’m not going to play tournaments with rough like that anymore, it’s a waste of my time. I’m going to play courses that are playable and that I can play aggressive, attacking, make a lot of birdies style of golf that I like to play.”

Mickelson’s performance at Le Golf National last week certainly supports his claim that golf courses that set up with tight fairways and thick rough are a waste of his time to play, but his comments are sure to raise some serious questions over what exactly he was doing in Paris for the 2018 Ryder Cup. Captain Jim Furyk came under attack for some of the decisions he made last week in Paris, and as a captains pick Mickelson’s comments about his inability to play courses such as Le Golf National is sure to add more fuel to that particular fire. Mickelson’s statements also bring up the question mark of his own preparation and knowledge of Le Golf National, and if it was even right on his part to accept his captain’s pick.

What do you make of Mickelson’s comments?

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Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected].

55 Comments

Stephen Donaght

Oct 22, 2018 at 10:21 am

We play the ball as it lies and the course in front of us, that is part of the unique nature of golf. All courses are different and we all have setups and styles we prefer. But it is as much a mental game as a physical one. You need the mental acuity to choose the right shot and the self discipline to deal with the consequences when it doesn’t turn out as planned. It seems to me that Phil no longer has the burning desire to discipline himself to the demands of the course.

I am sure he will make a killing on the Champions Tour though.

Reply Report comment
Simms

Oct 17, 2018 at 2:29 pm

A player considered “A Great Player” would fit his game to the course, Ten thousand golf instructors out there would tell you sometimes a driver or even a wood off the tee is not the right club. Us poor amateur hackers are hitting 3 woods and 3,4 irons into par 4 greens from our 180 yard drives in the fairways everyday….so sad if a pro is upset because he does not have a wage from 150 on a 480 yard par 4…..I loved that set up for this years rider cup, made a 240 yard drive in the fairway a plus over the 320 yard drive in the ruff.

Reply Report comment
dixiedoc

Oct 17, 2018 at 11:32 am

Well he proves it once again, Phil is all about Phil. Please don’t show up at any more Rider Cups.

Reply Report comment
- David Lehmann
  
  Oct 19, 2018 at 12:36 pm
  
  What is a “Rider” Cup?
  
  Reply Report comment
  - David LehmannTheJack4ss
    
    Oct 24, 2018 at 1:21 pm
    
    The one where 2 teams take turns riding David’s mum
    
    Reply Report comment
kevin

Oct 9, 2018 at 3:44 pm

his arrogance continues to shine.

Reply Report comment
AggOwl

Oct 8, 2018 at 6:09 pm

Mickelson and woods were both picked because they increase the viewership which sells more advertising which means more profit to the networks who bought the broadcasting rights. It’s that simple. Neither of them were going to refuse an offer to play and piss off all of the sponsors.

This sport is a business like any other professional sport. It’s all driven by sponsors dollars and selling advertising.

That is the only reason they were picked. Which means this team was sold to the highest bidder.

Reply Report comment
- Christopher Hansen
  
  Oct 8, 2018 at 8:22 pm
  
  Amen.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Tim
  
  Oct 13, 2018 at 11:48 pm
  
  yup!
  
  Reply Report comment
- Ev
  
  Oct 19, 2018 at 6:34 am
  
  Sorry but you’re wrong. Woods was close to winning 2 majors and also won the Tour Championship beating the top 30 players in the world.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Gurt
    
    Oct 21, 2018 at 1:33 pm
    
    Woods is never any good at Matchplay. It’s no solid comparison.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - U_Who
      
      Oct 25, 2018 at 1:54 am
      
      Bull… he won US Am 3 years in a row !!!
      
      Reply Report comment
      - John
        
        Nov 2, 2018 at 3:36 pm
        
        The difference is the Ryder Cup is a team event and Woods is all about himself.
        
        Reply Report comment
  - AggOwl
    
    Nov 5, 2018 at 7:58 am
    
    He had some success, yes. Not a slam to Woods, just a fact niether he or Mickelson would have been picked were it not for sponsor pressure.
    
    Tiger undoubtedly was the greatest player in the game at one time. He is the best thing that ever happened to the business of golf but the worst thing that ever happened to the game of golf.
    
    Reply Report comment
Aaron

Oct 8, 2018 at 4:46 pm

I thought picking him was a bad choice based just on his US Open ‘shenanigans’ aka cheating. A shame to see him live up to exactly that performance, guess we should have believed him the first time.

Reply Report comment
Mike

Oct 8, 2018 at 4:04 pm

More sour grapes from a man at the end of his career. Hasn’t changed from the time he was so critical of the great Tom Watson. Beginning to sound like he is the problem in the team!

Reply Report comment
Jack Nash

Oct 8, 2018 at 3:43 pm

So is your Cup record. When you’re in the trees a lot it’s hard to see the greens. You’ll still get great sponsorship though.

Reply Report comment
Mike Barnard

Oct 8, 2018 at 2:14 pm

Tragic chat from Phil. One trick pony from now on. Disrespectful to his Captain, teammates and fans. I thought all top pros could hit the ball relatively long and fairly straight … it’s what they do for a job?? You get the odd genius of Seve who was wild off the tee and ( like Phil ) has a mercurial short game , but you would NEVER have heard Seve talk like that. Totally tragic comments.

Reply Report comment
joro

Oct 8, 2018 at 1:17 pm

Well Phil, you could have dropped out and let somebody who wanted to win play. Face it, you and Tiger are RC losers. I have pulled for you every time you compete since your career started only to be disappointed by your pathetic finishes. You always seem to Phuque it up somehow thinking you can still play like you used to and of course you won’t change anything that people toll you, stubborn is the word. So do I not wast My time pulling for you, or are you going to wake up and adjust so you can win again, you can do it you know, just take your head out of your rear and adjust. And i would suggest you start listening to what Butch is telling you, he is right. I wish you good luck in the future.

Reply Report comment
Tom54

Oct 8, 2018 at 1:07 pm

Hard to believe a player with his talents never learned a swing that would eliminate one side of the course. Seems all his career he found both sides of deep rough. The fact that he nearly won so many US Opens is a testament of his great short game. If he would just face up to needing to hit it straighter instead of fussing about the course setup he might come across a little better. Maybe he should try a shorter shaft in the driver.Not that I was gonna watch,but he needs to get better if he thinks he even has a prayer against Tiger in their upcoming match.

Reply Report comment
- Tim
  
  Oct 13, 2018 at 11:53 pm
  
  with the phil vs tiger match, i think they are going to add some dimension to it. If it were straight match play or stroke play tiger might be up 5 after 7-8 holes and the ratings would drop. i think there will be something weird that will be applied.
  
  Reply Report comment
Kevin Kelly

Oct 8, 2018 at 1:00 pm

Let me write directly (lol) to Phil I listened to and read this account of your comments. You’re right and I agree with you 100%. You should have declined the team offer (since you were picked) because of what you’ve so eloquently described and shared. You were absolutely the worst “horses for course” pick in history of Ryder Cup. And I love watching you play ( was 75 yards away when you the behind the tree off the pinestraw shot and your not so high jump Masters wind!” You should have been gentleman enough at this stage if life to proudly Thank Jim for the offer and then politely declined. Thanks for reading, Respectfully

Btw Nice article, well written and on point young man.

Reply Report comment
Timothy

Oct 8, 2018 at 12:56 pm

I cheer for individual players rather than US or European ,so I’m not biased that way, but I thought the course was ridiculous. I kept looking for windmills, water slides and rubber ducks. Oh well, these choices are all about money and politics.

Reply Report comment
Tom

Oct 8, 2018 at 12:36 pm

Phi stop being a ???? crybaby. You’re paid big bucks , so stuff it and admit you were beaten far and square.

Reply Report comment
Me

Oct 8, 2018 at 12:33 pm

Mickelson needs to take a couple years off and try to reinvent himself for the Champions tour.

In the meantime he could work on his NFL picks and insider trading investments.

Reply Report comment
Funkaholic

Oct 8, 2018 at 11:22 am

In other words “I am a big baby and will only play in pristine conditions because I am not, nor have I ever been, up to a challenge.” Phil wants his rough like my fairways, his tee box like my greens and his hazards totally out of play.

Reply Report comment
Bert Gwaltney

Oct 7, 2018 at 5:52 pm

Sad day again for Phil, US Open Rules fiasco, now condemning a course he could not handle, nor could the team, but the Euro’s could. Basically I’m not sure Phil could handle any course that required accuracy, especially driver accuracy.

Was a favorite but have lost respect for him and any comments he would make. Hopefully we won’t suffer from his Captaincy.

Reply Report comment
T-Bone

Oct 7, 2018 at 12:38 pm

So does this mean he’s not going to play in the US Open anymore?

Reply Report comment
- Christian Larsson
  
  Oct 8, 2018 at 11:18 am
  
  My first thought as well
  
  Reply Report comment
Shane Ingram

Oct 6, 2018 at 11:18 am

Isn’t it more relevant that Phil wasted the US team and its supporters time in energy and resources in an event where he wasn’t going to contribute but someone else would have had a much better chance? Or is it about Phil and not the team?

Reply Report comment
- larrybud
  
  Oct 6, 2018 at 3:00 pm
  
  Gees Phil, you should have said something sooner. You knew how the course was going to be set up.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Alvaro
    
    Oct 8, 2018 at 2:09 pm
    
    Maybe he didn’t. It looked like he didn’t care at all.
    
    Reply Report comment
Tom Duckworth

Oct 6, 2018 at 10:43 am

A very poor comment from Phil. He should have bowed out and Jim should have focused on players that fit that course.
Isn’t golf about adapting to be course to shoot a good score. Maybe distance isn’t the problem on tour it’s wide fairways with light
rough. I don’t watch golf on TV to see how far they can drive I watch to see good golf but I guess that’s what thePGA thinks we want.
They have created their own problem by setting up courses for long wild bombers. They too often give in to whining golfers that want the course to play easy so they can play “birdie ” golf whatever that is.

Reply Report comment
drbopperthp

Oct 6, 2018 at 10:15 am

Vijay Singh told you all about Mr. FIGJAM a long time ago. But you didn’t want to listen. So now you know.

Reply Report comment
ND Hickman

Oct 6, 2018 at 9:29 am

He just turned up to do his high kick in the team room.

Reply Report comment
JP

Oct 5, 2018 at 11:41 pm

Tiger just sent Shadow Creek GC a bunch of money to start watering the rough and to stop cutting it.

Reply Report comment
Terry

Oct 5, 2018 at 10:14 pm

Losing respect for Phil and his antics/comments over the past year. What a shmuck

Reply Report comment
Johnny Penso

Oct 5, 2018 at 9:36 pm

Funny how people hail Patrick Reed and his family as a heros for airing their grievances in public but Phil is fat and lazy for doing the same thing…lol.

Reply Report comment
Tom

Oct 5, 2018 at 7:49 pm

Maybe he could run after his ball if it is heading toward the rough and hit it while its moving like he did in the US Open?

Reply Report comment
Tom

Oct 5, 2018 at 7:47 pm

Watching Phil play Tiger on Thanksgiving would be a big waste of viewers time and money (pay-for-view). When the going gets “rough” Phil evidently quits?

Reply Report comment
Red

Oct 5, 2018 at 7:05 pm

Phil, if this was such a waste of your time, why did you not spare Jim Furyk from wasting his wild card on you?
If you’d have checked earlier, you’d have realised that the course is not your super-wide fairway that supports your play.
So, instead of telling Furyk that you are not fit for playing there, you still do, just so you can get on the record books?
Great sense of what a team needs you have there 🙂

Reply Report comment
Kim Hay

Oct 5, 2018 at 6:17 pm

OK, Phil, do not enter any more US Opens which have tight fairways and rough. You totally exaggerated the width of the fairways in Paris, not 14-16 yards wide as you stated, more like 20 to 40 yards. You have acted poorly this year, gross rules infraction and now slagging a venue that was more like a USA style course than a European style course. How about showing some humility, you were not prepared, did not play well and are now looking for excuses. Definitely falling down the respect ladder and not being a very good example for the many fans who enjoy watching you play.

Reply Report comment
rex235

Oct 5, 2018 at 5:47 pm

So-

Phil Mickelson’s last shot in a Ryder Cup event will be a tee shot in the water (eau)?

Do not despair! The PGA will offer him a Captaincy…in the US-

Then again…

Reply Report comment
Joeg Voll

Oct 5, 2018 at 4:53 pm

Wow? I consider myself to be quite a fan of Phil’s, but he lost quite a bit of my respect with this comment! (Not that it matters.) YOU SHOULD’VE DECLINED THE INVITATION THEN PHIL! IF PLAYING A COURSE LIKE THIS, is a waste of your time, then let 1 of the young guys take your place! How was the courses rough unfair??? The Europeans didn’t seem to mind, while they were waxing your @ss up and down the fairways! I wish I could add some colorful 4-letter expletives, to match my real feelings about PM’s comments! Hey Phil, maybe if you practiced keeping the ball in the fairways, instead of “dancing” like CP30 in need of a lube job, you could’ve actually contributed something in the Ryder Cup???

Reply Report comment
- Luke Skywhacker
  
  Oct 5, 2018 at 6:17 pm
  
  C-3PO
  
  Reply Report comment
- Scheiss
  
  Oct 5, 2018 at 6:18 pm
  
  They were all there to visit Paris and Versailles with their respective WAGS. That’s why they didn’t decline to play.
  
  Reply Report comment
Vas

Oct 5, 2018 at 4:48 pm

He’s totally right… but I’m sure Xander Schauffele would have liked that spot.

Reply Report comment
Thomas

Oct 5, 2018 at 4:46 pm

If this is the case, why didn’t Phil scout the course before the event and tell Captain Furyk NOT to pick him? I’m sure he ego wouldn’t allow that!

Reply Report comment
Anthony B

Oct 5, 2018 at 3:26 pm

They hit lots of fairways on the Senior Tour Phil. In the meantime, betting on Mickelson for the Players, US Open or the British Open would be a ‘waste of my time’.

Reply Report comment
Pete O'Tube

Oct 5, 2018 at 3:04 pm

So in future Mickleson will only play on courses with no hazards, no rough and no challenge. You’re a fat, lazy waste of time. Get some backbone and test yourself, see how good you can be if you hit it STRAIGHT. Pathetic response from a has-been.

Reply Report comment
Paul stocks

Oct 5, 2018 at 2:17 pm

Absolute arrogance as usual from the Americans

Why didn’t he play it in advance like Justin Thomas,why did furyk pick him ,both teams had to play the same course,,and the fact he said it’s the best team spirit he’s ever been in is the most worrying thing.

Reply Report comment
- GolfGolfGolf
  
  Oct 6, 2018 at 6:50 am
  
  *American. Don’t generalize
  
  Reply Report comment
- Funkaholic
  
  Oct 8, 2018 at 11:27 am
  
  Ridiculous generalization, Phil is not all “Americans”, most of us don’t respect him and his antics. Typical, smug, uninformed European.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Meroo
    
    Oct 9, 2018 at 4:02 am
    
    Hey Funk,then you proceed to generalise about Euro’s. Hypocrite much?
    
    Reply Report comment
William Davis

Oct 5, 2018 at 1:43 pm

He really should learn not to make comments like this. Makes him look very silly – again.

Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Published

5 hours ago

Apr 23, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.

As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.

Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying about our photos from the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in the forums.

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Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board

Published

6 hours ago

Apr 23, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as the PGA Tour heads to New Orleans for the Zurich Classic.

1. 15-year-old finishes top 20 on KFT

Jay Coffin for Golf Digest…”During a week when most eyes were on Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda, the 15-year-old lefty finished off an incredible week with a five-under 66 in the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour’s LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood Ranch in Florida.”

“After opening with 68-66-70, Russell finished at 14-under-par total to tie for 20th place. The finish in which he jumped 28 positions on the leaderboard on the final day, gives him an exemption into next week’s Veritex Bank Championship at Rangers Park in Arlington, Texas. He’s the youngest player to finish inside the top 20 on the PGA of Korn Ferry tours, according to records that go back to 1983.”

Full piece.

2. Understandably, Nelly WDs

Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”Nelly Korda’s bid for a record-setting sixth consecutive win will have to wait a few weeks.”

“A day after capturing the Chevron Championship during a marathon final round in Houston, Korda announced on social media that she was withdrawing from this week’s JM Eagle LA Championship.”

“It was not an easy decision,” she wrote. “After the unbelievable week at the Chevron and grinding through the mental and physical challenges of four events in the past five weeks, I am definitely feeling exhausted. With so much still to come throughout 2024, I feel I need to listen to my body and get some rest, so I can be ready for the remainder of the season.”

Full piece.

3. Scheffler’s impressive No. 1 feat

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”After Scheffler’s victory Monday morning at the RBC Heritage, Scheffler upped his points average to 15.016 and increased his advantage in the Official World Golf Ranking over No. 2 Rory McIlroy to more than double McIlroy’s 7.365 average, meaning Scheffler is ranked further ahead of No. 2 than No. 2 is ahead of the last-ranked player.”

“The last time a No. 1 player had a greater points average was Woods, who was at 15.4564 on Dec. 6, 2009. But Woods was less than seven average points ahead of No. 2 Phil Mickelson at the time. Earlier that year, Woods was 7.735 ahead of Mickelson, which is the last time the gap between Nos. 1 and 2 was greater than Scheffler’s current 7.651 advantage.”

Full piece.

4. Zurich field notes

PGATour.com’s Adam Stanley…”Rory McIlroy will make his tournament debut alongside good pal, Ryder Cup teammate, and Irishman Shane Lowry – a duo that was firmed up during a celebratory lunch after the Ryder Cup last fall… Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele will try to reprise their 2022 win here. Cantlay and Schauffele have both the Foursomes and Four-ball scoring records at this event… Davis Riley and Nick Hardy will defend their 2023 title. No team has gone back-to-back… Three sets of brothers (and two sets of twins!) will play together with twins Rasmus and Nicolai Højgaard and Parker and Pierceson Coody in the field along with Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick. Alex Fitzpatrick and Rasmus Højgaard are sponsor invites…”

“Billy Horschel, who won last week at the Corales Puntacana Championship, will be without his previous partner Sam Burns, as Burns and his wife are expecting their first child any day. Horschel will instead be paired with fellow University of Florida alum Tyson Alexander. Horschel has won the Zurich Classic when it was both an individual and team event… Other notable pairings include Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama, Sahith Theegala and Will Zalatoris, and Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin. The Canadian duo finished runner-up a year ago and would like nothing more than to show Presidents Cup International Team captain Mike Weir how well they play together… Steve Stricker will play his second TOUR event this season (after earning his way into THE PLAYERS Championship), teaming up with Matt Kuchar.”

Full piece.

5. Tiger’s teammates

Field Level Media report…”Tiger Woods announced Monday that Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner have joined his Jupiter Links GC TGL team.”

“The virtual golf league headed by Woods and Rory McIlroy will begin its inaugural season next January. Woods also unveiled the team’s logo.”

“I have already shared my excitement and optimism for TGL as a league and product,” said Woods. “Now that we have finalized our roster with a team of world-class golfers, I am even more confident that this group will proudly represent the Jupiter (Fla.) area and connect with our fans for years to come.”

Full piece.

6. Woosnam questions Cantlay’s decision

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After the horn sounded to suspend play due to darkness, Cantlay, who’s ball was in the fairway on the 18th hole, had a decision to make. With over 200 yards into the green and extreme winds working against the shot, conventional wisdom would be to wait until Monday morning to hit the shot.”

“On the other hand, if he could finish the hole, he may just want to get the event over with so he could get out of Hilton Head.”

“Curiously, Cantlay chose neither of those options. After hitting 3-wood into the green, and still coming up short, the former FedEx Cup champion chose to mark his ball and chip and putt on Monday morning.”

“Ian Woosnam, who was watching from home, took to X to give his thoughts on Cantlay’s decision making.”

“Cantlay would end up getting up and down for par when play resumed at 8:00 am Monday morning.”

Full piece.

7. JT on Scheffler’s “weird” equipment choice

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After Justin Thomas’ third round of the RBC Heritage, the two-time major champion went in the broadcast booth alongside the CBS crew.”

“While Thomas was watching Scottie Scheffler play on the back nine of his third round, he wondered aloud why Scottie uses high-numbered golf balls.”

“Does anybody else think it’s weird that Scottie uses high numbers? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an elite player use high-numbered golf balls.”

“Amanda Balionis who was on the grounds chimed in, reporting that analyst Dottie Pepper had wondered the same thing earlier that day.”

“I’ve been going about this wrong my whole life,” Thomas jokingly said.

Full piece.

8. Rory to rejoin PGA Tour policy board

Mark Schlabach for ESPN…”Four-time major championship winner Rory McIlroy is poised to return to the PGA Tour’s policy board, pending a vote by the board, which could come as early as this week, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.”

“One of the PGA Tour’s most vocal supporters during its three-year battle with LIV Golf, McIlroy abruptly resigned as a player director on the tour’s influential policy board in November.”

“He is expected to replace policy board player director Webb Simpson, who intends to step away before his two-year term expires in 2025.”

Full piece.

9. Weir names Presidents Cup assistants

PGA Tour report…”International Team Captain Mike Weir announced Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas as captain’s assistants for the 2024 Presidents Cup, which will be played at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Canada, Sept. 24-29.

Full piece.

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News

Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters

Published

1 day ago

Apr 22, 2024

Ronald Montesano

Brazil and Texas were kindred souls this week, at least when it came to weather. Both regions experienced torrential delays, and three tournaments were held up. The LPGA, PGA Tour Americas, and PGA Tour Champions were compelled to reduce play or work extra holes into Sunday. As if that weren’t enough, South Carolina and the PGA Tour fell victim to nature’s wrath, with lightning postponing the conclusion of the event to Monday.

The year’s first women’s major championship was celebrated in Texas. The Chevron is gaining a bit of tradition in its second year after relocation. This year’s event culminated in the continued coronation of the game’s current best. The Korn Ferry Tour saw a top-twenty performance from a 15-year old amateur, while the second event of the week on the big tour found a winner in the Dominican Republic. Six events is more than a handful, so let’s get right to it, with this week’s (delayed) Tour Rundown.

LPGA @ Chevron Championship: Korda corrals second major title

The winter of 2022-2023 seems so distant for current Nelly Korda. A mysterious ailment sapped all of her energy, just as the world appeared to have finally emerged from the pandemic. We never quite secured the complete information that we desired, but no one can say that any of us deserved to know more than Nelly wished to share. One thing is for certain: Nelly Korda has returned to top form, and the world number one golfer is at least one level above anyone else on tour.

Korda began her 2024 campaign with a January victory in the Drive One Championship. In her next start, in March, she continued her assault on the record books, with a win at the Se Ri Pak. She won again the following week, at the Ford, then defeated Leona Maguire in the final match at the T-Mobile Match Play, for a fourth consecutive victory. Would the increased hype around a major championship have an impact on her game? Well, no.

Korda began play at the Chevron Championship with a score of 68. She trailed Lauren Coughlin by two after 18 holes, but caught her with a second-round 69. Coughlin would ultimately tie for third spot with Brooke Henderson. Henderson played with Korda on day four, but the middle third of the round was her undoing. Making a late move was Maja Stark. House Stark closed with birdies at 17 and 18 to reach 11 under par. Both Korda and Strak played the final three days in identical numbers: 69 each day.

Korda held a firm hand on the tournament over the course of the final day. She stood minus-four for the round through ten holes, before a bit of sloppy play made things competitive again. Bogeys at 11 and 15 opened the door a wee bit for Stark. Korda was equal to the test, however, and closed stylishly with birdie at 18.

Safely around the green on the 72nd hole

Watch @NellyKorda‘s historic finish now on NBC! pic.twitter.com/1zaAYtbaCz

— LPGA (@LPGA) April 21, 2024

PGA Tour 1 @ RBC: Scottie, so hottie!

Nelly isn’t the only golfer on fire, although Scottie Scheffler still has a ways to go to match her. Scheffler proved this week that he has a game for all courses. After winning comfortably at lengthy Augusta National, Scheffler shifted gears and game to the wee Sea Pines course, and won again. That’s two weeks in a row for the man from New Jersey/Texas, so let’s learn how he did it.

Scheffler totaled 69 on day one, and found himself six shots behind leader J.T. Poston. Scheffler revealed that his teacher, Randy Smith, would tell him that he didn’t need to be the best 15 year-old; just the best 25 year-old. It was easy, then, to play the long game and consider all 72 holes, instead of just 18. Scheffler improved to 65 on Friday, and then went even lower on Saturday. His 63 moved him to the top of the board, and caused the golfverse to wonder if Scheffler would win for a second consecutive week.

Sunday saw all the chasers fall away. Scores between 70 and 72 from Patrick Rodgers, Collin Morikawa, and Sepp Straka meant that others would need to seize the day, if Scheffler were to do more than coast. Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas each moved inside the top five with fourth-round 65s, but no one ever got close enough to the world number one. The win was Scheffler’s 10th on tour, and made him the betting favorite for next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

Scottie Scheffler can save par from just about anywhere.

Including the water ?

(Presented by @CDWCorp) pic.twitter.com/RUqL2sBrr9

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 22, 2024

PGA Tour 2 @ Corales Puntacana: Baton Boy claims 8th Tour triumph

If you’ve ever seen Billy Horschel toss a club, you know that he doesn’t do so in anger. More likely is a calculated, soaring arc, paired with a look of fractured disbelief, followed by a quick catch of the cudgel. Ergo, Baton Boy. This week on the island of Hispaniola, the native of Grant, Florida, outworked and outhustled everyone else on Sunday. Horschel gathered seven birdies and an eagle, on the way to a 63 and a 23-under par total.

The former Florida Gator zipped past the four golfers in front of him, and left the remaining field in the rear-view mirror. Horschel’s round was two shots better than anyone else, and moved him two shots ahead of third-round leader Wesley Bryan. One of the famed Bryan Brothers, Wes closed with birdie at the last to post a 68 that would have won the week on any other day.

Walking it in with a fist pump ?@BillyHo_Golf is 9-under on the day and leads by two @CoralesChamp. pic.twitter.com/N6rjL1GGGA

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 21, 2024

Korn Ferry Tour @ LeCom Suncoast: It’s Widing in extra holes

Miles Russell probably won’t have to serve detention for ditching class on Thursday and Friday. The high school freshman made his KFT debut, survived the 36-hole cut, and toyed with a top-ten finish. He ultimately tied for 20th at 14-under par, six shots behind the three co-leaders. My guess is that Epstein’s Mom will write him a note, and he’ll get a pass. By finishing top-25, Russell earned a spot in next week’s event. Yikes!

Back to the top of the board. Patrick Cover, Steven Fisk, and Tim Widing all found their way to the magic number of -20. Fisk made birdie at the last, after bogeys at 16 and 17. Cover had three bogeys on the back nine, but a birdie at 14 was enough to get him to overtime. Widing was plus-one on the day through four, but played interstellar golf over the final 14. Six birdies moved him from Russell-ville to extra time.

The trio scurried to the 18th tee, where Cover drove into a fairway bunker. He was unable to reach the green with his approach, made bogey, and exited the overtime session. Widing and Fisk returned to the final deck once more, and matters were resolved. Fisk was unable to convert a long par putt, and Widing (pronounced VEE-ding) tapped in for his first KFT title.

The feeling of relief when you know you won. ???

Tim Widing is now a champion on the #KornFerryTour. pic.twitter.com/K0vgiZ21UG

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) April 21, 2024

PGA Tour Americas @ Brasil Open: Mr. Anderson finds a way

Golf is a funny game. Matthew Anderson held a lead with one round to play. He made six pars on Sunday, and sprinkled the rest of his card with birdies and bogeys. In complete contrast, Ollie Osborne played consistently on the day, posting four birdies and zero bogeys. Connor Godsey was not far off Osborne’s pace, with seven birdies and but two bogeys on the scorecard. So, of course, Matthew Anderson won by a stroke over Osborne and Godsey.

Not how, but how many, is another one of those platitudes that we all learn early on. Despite five bogeys through his first 14 holes, Anderson summoned the defiant grit to make birdie at the 71st and 72nd holes. After making deuce at the penultimat hole, Anderson’s swerving effort at the last looked as if it should miss low, but it had enough pace to stay inside the hole and fall for a closing four at the par-five finisher.

Birdie-birdie finish to secure the ?

Mississauga-native Matthew Anderson is your 69th ECP Brazil Open Champion. pic.twitter.com/ONE8hIUjeS

— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) April 21, 2024

PGA Tour Champions @ Invited Celebrity: Broadhurst stands tall

What do you call a tournament that begins on Friday, takes Saturday off, and finishes on Sunday? Fortunate is one adjective to use. A weather system moved through Texas this weekend, and made a mess of things in Irving. After Thomas Bjorn signed for 64 on day one, rain and all things counter-productive moved through the Las Colinas resort, ensuring that Saturday would be nothing more than a rest day. When Sunday arrived, conditions had improved, and the game was on. Bjorn was unable to preserve his Friday magic, although he did record a 70 for -8. He finished in a third-place tie with Y.E. Yang.

David Toms, the 2001 PGA Championship victor, presented Sunday’s low round, and moved to 10-under par. Toms made one mistake on the day. He lived in the rough on the 9th hole, ultimately making bogey. The rest of the day was immaculate, as seven birdies came his way, resulting in a six-under par 65. Only one golfer was able to surpass Toms, and that was Paul Broadhurst.

Broadhurst nearly matched Toms for daily honors. His mistake came early, with bogey at the second. He bounced back with eagle at the third, and added three more birdies for 66 and 11-under par. Over his first three seasons on the Tour Champions, Broadhurst won five times, including two major titles. His fifth win came in 2018, making this win his first in six years. A long time coming, for sure, but well earned.

Looking at the hole is working for @PBroadhurstGolf ?

He leads by one after a clutch birdie on 15 @InvitedCC. pic.twitter.com/S0rhcVwaeE

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) April 21, 2024

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