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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Tom
Jan 16, 2019 at 12:36 pm
I took an Epic Flush after my second cup of Joe this morning.
Anon
Dec 23, 2018 at 11:13 am
Aaron Rodgers loves this.
Dan
Dec 21, 2018 at 2:07 am
I’ll say this if you think the Wilson driver looks better than the new Callaway, you can’t shine a turd
smz
Dec 18, 2018 at 12:37 pm
The only technological change is the name… “Epic Flash”… chosen to attract the childish nature of immature golfing boyz…. sooo pathetic
ogo
Dec 21, 2018 at 1:51 am
Shoulda called it “Epic Flush”…. like hitting the ball “flush”… 😮
SEAN
Dec 8, 2018 at 11:04 pm
Interesting story with Epic Flash. Have not had chance to try but looking forward to. I do play Callaway woods and irons and my Rogue was not longer than original Epic but was far more forgiving for me. Rogue fairway wood, best thing since sliced bread. For those commenting on the “looks” of a driver(from one generation to another)…..that has little to do with a clubs performance. The technology in the heads from Callaway, TM, Ping and others is almost all within the head itself. There are certain head shapes that are almost universally considered good looking, but other than the aerodynamics they have little to do with clubs performance. Speaking of looks, the green/yellow combination on new Epic…….not my favorite. I suppose one can get a custom paint job but now the price is getting out of control for those of that live in reality with normal jobs and kids and other stuff competing for our discretionary dollars.
Dan
Dec 6, 2018 at 12:47 pm
Heads up everyone, every driver these days is pretty much maxed out to the usga tolerances, so most of these small changes are just that ,small. The proper driver is based on a good fit and a head that’s not outdated. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but if you think all new clubs are just marketing and don’t offer performance improvement you aren’t good enough to see the subtleties. My 2017 Epic blows away anything ever made, mainly because my fit and swing are solid.
Des
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:26 pm
So it’s not the club, it’s because your swing just happens to work with the club.
So what’s your point? Lol
DJ
Dec 7, 2018 at 12:57 am
My Hammer driver blows everything away. Shout out to Jack Hamm! youtube the infomercial to get the low down. It’s the Hammer!
Kevin J Robertson
Dec 6, 2018 at 10:07 am
Look at these pics!
https://community.callawaygolf.com/t5/Clubs/Epic-Flash-color-pics/td-p/93449
HDTVMAN
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:17 am
Good idea to put the sliding weight on the Sub Zero. I still don’t like Jailbreak, as customers seem to push the ball right or left if not hit center face. I’ll stay with the Ping G400 MAX.
Tom
Dec 6, 2018 at 12:48 am
I hit one of the prototypes, it carried 75 yards farther than the previous offering and rolled out another 125 yards farther, net Gain of 200 yards.
My Uncle Rico hit it over them there mountains….
Andy
Dec 5, 2018 at 6:28 pm
yep…. hell hath frozen over…Wilson’s newest driver looks waaaay better than Callaway’s newest driver.
shawn
Dec 23, 2018 at 4:58 pm
… and your opinion is soooo significant to us….. thank you 😛
Jordan
Dec 5, 2018 at 4:14 pm
Mizuno: “We’ve heard customer feedback and decided to ditch the bold colorways in favor of all black”.
Callaway: “Hold my beer”
shawn
Dec 23, 2018 at 4:59 pm
My toys are more colorful than your toys… nyah nyah myah