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Why the LPGA deserves a major championship at Augusta National

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A holy “tradition unlike any other” or a contrived event deliberately cloaked in mystery, whatever your opinion is, Augusta National has represented the pinnacle of golf for years.

The elite southern club’s allure has grown to a crescendo over the years. So much so that it brought Rory McIlroy to declare that the Masters is now “the biggest golf tournament in the world.” It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the club, however, which has fought hard in recent times to make restitution for its murky past.

One of those moves was made last April when the club announced that it would host the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship. However, instead of the groundbreaking step to host a women’s event on the hallowed turf of Augusta National uniting women’s golf, it divided it.

The Championship is due to be held the week before the Masters, clashing with the LPGA’s opening major of the season, the ANA Inspiration, which created unnecessary pressure on the LPGA to move the event. While the announcement also produced jealousy amongst LPGA Tour professionals who long for an opportunity to play a tournament at the Georgian club.

At the time, world No. 5 Lexi Thompson reflected on the news saying, “I think we all as women want to play there. It’s on our bucket list.” While two-time major champion Brittany Lincicome stated, “I wish I was an amateur. I’ve never gotten to play Augusta. I’m super jealous.”

This week, the LPGA announced that in 2019, prize money would rise from $65.35 million to $70.55 million, as the women’s game continues to show its strength and growth. But what the Tour truly needs is a game-changing moment, and that moment will arrive if Augusta National decides to open its doors to the LPGA.

Whether you’re a fan of women’s golf or not, there is little doubt that a LPGA major event hosted at Augusta National would grip golf fans. It may be the one course in the world where the majority of fans would be happy to watch two high handicappers hack their way around for 18 holes, let alone watch the best players in women’s golf battle it out for 72 holes.

The LPGA has global stars such as the likes of Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko and Michelle Wie, and the quality of golf on display, combined with the continued growth of the Tour deserves to be rewarded by allowing these players the opportunity to compete at Augusta National.

An LPGA tournament at Augusta National would not just be for these professionals, or onlookers who want an extra few days a year to peek inside the hallowed grounds. The event would see ratings that women’s golf has never before seen, and it would be the ideal platform for golf fans, many of whom will have similar swing-speeds to these women, to recognize the excellence that these women possess at one of golf’s grandest stages.

The LPGA players deserve the same equal opportunity as the male players. There may never be the same general interest in the women’s game compared to the men.  However, inclusivity is an area that has too often been lacking in the game of golf, and there is now more than enough quality and interest in the women’s game to justify Augusta National staging a women’s major championship.

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

89 Comments

89 Comments

  1. Larry

    Dec 12, 2018 at 3:48 pm

    Not to be get into a conversation if this is male vs. female but I think the writer answered his own questions in the first line. “A tradition unlike any other.”

    So there you have it, you’re not going to replicate the Master’s, the LPGA should look for another prestigious venue that is not used by the PGA Tour to create their own “Master’s” that girls can dream of playing as theyre growing up, because a Women’s Masters will never compete with the popularity of the Masters.

  2. Blake

    Dec 10, 2018 at 10:46 am

    No one would watch after day one. WOmen would have to play form the members tees which dont look the same and then they would be playing the second shot from much farther away from the green and less likely to hold the green.

  3. Tom

    Dec 10, 2018 at 1:42 am

    Ain’t no buyers for what they’re sellin!

  4. Ronald Montesano

    Dec 9, 2018 at 11:27 pm

    I disagree. Why celebrate a club that kept women out for so long, with an LPGA major? This is a historically short-sighted suggestion. Women should chart their own course, not curry favor with men’s coattails. The women’s open at Sebonack, in 2013, was the type of groundbreaking achievement you should cover, not some regressive ANGC hand-me-down.

  5. a millennial

    Dec 9, 2018 at 12:53 pm

    Say we have LPGA Masters @ August National, who will watch? What TV channel will broadcast?

    If the equality and Deserve are issue, why dont we have one PGA tournaments consisting both sex. Then problem solved?

    Of course, some will say it is NOT fair as the most fairness lies.

    Thus, I totally disagree with the writer. I rather see women writer, who knows in & out of the golf history commenting on this topic. Not this dude.

  6. Hawkeye77

    Dec 8, 2018 at 10:50 pm

    Click bait populist nonsense from a writer who continues to demonstrate he really doesn’t have any real sense of golf or the history of the game.

    Can we get some interns to start writing here?

  7. noble mind

    Dec 8, 2018 at 7:46 pm

    Hey, while we’re at it…
    Why don’t we speak for the 99.9% of golfers that will NEVER play Augusta National. Yeah, isn’t that unfair? Everyone should play Augusta National – equal golf rights! Inclusivity all the way!

    Not. It’s a private club. They have their own rules. They can do whatever they want. Period.

    This article attempts to take a “progressive” stance by trying to solve the issue of lack of inclusivity in golf.. but really, this is as backwards as it gets. The American ideals of living in a free country where you can start your own business, create your own opportunity, and call your own shots.. is inherently progressive and what makes our country so great. That means you can start your own Augusta National, make it your own idea of a great golf course, and host a major championship that only women can play on (if you so wish). And that would be totally awesome.

    Would it be cool to watch the LPGA play at Augusta National? Absolutely. But don’t ride the political coattails regarding lack of inclusivity.

  8. ChipNRun

    Dec 8, 2018 at 7:09 pm

    Augusta National runs its own show for the Masters, so this overlap may indicate a lack of communication among Augusta, the PGA and the LPGA.

    As far as slotting the LPGA event at Augusta the week BEFORE the Masters, what would this do to the course having two large tournaments back-to-back? What does the Augusta National greenskeeper think about this? That’s a lot of wear and tear on the course.

    Also, coordinating the logistics for a 1+1 would be mind-boggling. Would one overall crew run both tournaments and coordinate two teams of volunteers? How would this work?

    Possible the LPGA could come in two weeks AFTER the Master’s.

  9. Bert Gwaltney

    Dec 8, 2018 at 6:53 pm

    The LPGA deserves nothing! Why? One comment was to have an event at Cypress Point. Good choice.

  10. Johnny Penso

    Dec 8, 2018 at 3:11 pm

    “Deserve” is absolutely the wrong word to assign to this discussion. Deserve implies entitlement and there is no entitlement to play at a golf course. The discussion should revolve around whether the idea has merit on it’s face, is it good for the game of golf, good for the women’s game? etc. IMO yes it is. Augusta is arguably the most revered golf course in the world and one can argue it’s importance as a tournament as well. I made this argument the other day on a different thread about women’s golf and my point remains the same. I think it’ll be good for golf, good for the women as well and for girls coming into the game. I’d have one caveat though. It has to be a major from Day 1 and they’d have to drop a major, maybe 2. IMO both tours should have 4 majors, 6 is definitely too many.

    One can argue about the event’s exclusivity being part of it’s charm but I think that’s bogus quite frankly. There will be no change to the prestige of this tournament for as long as it’s played.

  11. I guess I’m the idiot

    Dec 8, 2018 at 7:43 am

    Can I ask one simple question? How did you guys feel when they first let black people play there in 1990? Wasn’t that long ago. Was it approached with the same fervent attitude as this proposal?

    • Brian McGranahan

      Dec 8, 2018 at 1:06 pm

      Lee Elder played in the Masters in 1975.

    • Brian McGranahan

      Dec 8, 2018 at 9:20 pm

      Lee Elder played The Masters in 1975. Again.

    • Funkaholic

      Dec 10, 2018 at 11:20 am

      Your guess is correct, you are in fact an idiot.

  12. bk

    Dec 8, 2018 at 6:31 am

    Deserve’s got nothing to do with it. Did Martha Burke put you up to this? Grow up kid.

  13. Frankie

    Dec 8, 2018 at 1:58 am

    Have it at Cypress Point instead of Augusta National because a woman found it. There’s your equality right there.

  14. Tom

    Dec 7, 2018 at 11:26 pm

    LPGA = Asia Ladies Tour….no thanks!

    • Scott Ivlow

      Dec 10, 2018 at 3:39 pm

      Your statement is stupid. That like saying the Masters= the European Tour. If paid any attention there are many American women on the LPGA.

  15. Tim

    Dec 7, 2018 at 10:26 pm

    Well would they have to tame the course for the women? If they did it wouldn’t really be fair would it? If the LPGA were to play it in the condition the men do for The Masters the women would get eaten up. It would not be fun to watch the LPGA women 3-4 jack most of those greens.

  16. Bob Barker

    Dec 7, 2018 at 10:01 pm

    Leftist progress = Society regress

  17. Pierre Morgan

    Dec 7, 2018 at 9:55 pm

    Third wave fe minism has become a cancer that is destroying the moral fabric of the West. Women are now fighting their biological imperative and are more miserable than ever trying to behave like men.

  18. Uncle Adolf 1488

    Dec 7, 2018 at 9:51 pm

    Third wave femini sm pushed by the left had destroyed the moral fabric of our society. Women are natural caregivers and are not leaders, thanks to the lie that they are being held down by the patriarch they have never been more miserable. Fighting your biological imperative is never a good thing. Feminis m = cancer.

  19. Scheiss

    Dec 7, 2018 at 3:50 pm

    They’ll always have Lingerie Football

    • Eric

      Dec 7, 2018 at 7:45 pm

      It’s OK to be a man. It’s OK to be a woman. It’s OK if you’re a PRIVATE club/organization to have your own rules. Go start your own Augusta or whatever and make your own rules. It’s like this country is so adverse to having ANY exclusion. I am a man and there are certain places that only women are allowed to be or join that I can’t…and I’m not going to get upset because they’re excluding me. Their private club, their rules. I’m also a male model. We get paid less than women models. WOMEN models are in higher demand, there are certain events that I can’t go to because I’m a MALE – sorry, when men start to be in higher demand, we’ll get paid more. Until then, I’ll just shut up and keep working and be thankful for the opportunities I do have.

      This golf thing isn’t about who is capable of playing well and who’s not and who may or may not deserve to play blah blah. It’s about their rules, their money, their house. Stop complaining and go start your own club. LIfe isn’t fair, get over it.

  20. Bill Parsons

    Dec 7, 2018 at 2:58 pm

    How many times have you picked up the remote to put on the golf channel and saw it was the LPGA on at the moment and felt super disappointed? It happens to me a lot.

    • Jordan

      Dec 7, 2018 at 3:29 pm

      Same. It’s almost like they need to be playing at better courses to make it interesting.

      • JP

        Dec 7, 2018 at 5:36 pm

        Haha. They just need to NOT televise it. I’d rather watch reruns of Feherty.

        • Billy p

          Dec 8, 2018 at 3:13 am

          They could be playing on the moon. No one cares

  21. george

    Dec 7, 2018 at 2:54 pm

    Some of these comments is what is wrong with golf. Grow up and let the ladies be a part of it. Geez its just a sport and it is ok to share it with others. Didnt realize a women’s golf tournament at Augusta really gets your depends diapers in a bunch.

    • Jordan

      Dec 7, 2018 at 10:15 pm

      Thank you.

    • Tim Tracks

      Dec 8, 2018 at 4:24 pm

      Found the cuck right here. If we keep on letting women push more and more there will be nothing left of our once civilized society. Please watch the Black Piegeon Speaks video about “Why women destroy nations and other uncomfortable truths” it will help you.

      • ^^This dude is deathly afraid of women

        Dec 8, 2018 at 9:01 pm

        Show me on the doll where the women hurt you Tim

        • Tim Tracks

          Dec 9, 2018 at 9:10 am

          Not an argument moron. Keep holding your head in the sand Cuck.

        • Tim Tracks

          Dec 9, 2018 at 9:13 am

          Not an argument. Keep burying your head in the sand c uck boy. It’s because of weak men like yourself the west is in the mess it is in.

  22. Tom

    Dec 7, 2018 at 1:26 pm

    LPGA, WNBA same story, nobody wants to watch. No viewers, no advertisers, no interest no money….very simple.

  23. Mike C

    Dec 7, 2018 at 1:04 pm

    The problem with Augusta National hosting a women’s major is that the whole allure of Augusta is the exclusivity. If it becomes overexposed it loses it’s appeal which is the whole reason you want a tournament there to begin with.

  24. Jamie

    Dec 7, 2018 at 12:28 pm

    So have a tournament for the sole purpose of catering to women? That’s sexist. Change women to men and you can see why.

    • Brian

      Dec 7, 2018 at 3:14 pm

      This doesn’t make any sense. There’s already a men’s only tournament there.

      I don’t think this is how sexism works…

      • James Glenn

        Dec 8, 2018 at 8:17 am

        To be fair, it’s not specifically “men’s only.” If a woman were able to get herself into the Top 50 of the World Golf Rankings or win on the PGA Tour, they would automatically get an invite.

  25. Fergie

    Dec 7, 2018 at 11:50 am

    If Augusta consents to it, I think it would be great to have an LPGA Masters there.

    We’ve seen Asian players literally dominate the LPGA over the years. More emphasis on womens golf and high visibility televised events may get women more interested in golf in America. Hopefully, it would help grow the game.

    At the course I play, I see an occasional female high school or college team player playing practice rounds, or, more often, older ladies playing friendly rounds with their husbands. I’d like to see more young women (not necessarily tethered to husbands) drawn to the game, invested in it.

    • JP

      Dec 7, 2018 at 2:35 pm

      Placing emphasis on something nobody cares about is pointless. And it takes away from Augusta National’s allure. It takes something that is held in high esteem and lessens it.

    • CaoNiMa

      Dec 7, 2018 at 3:47 pm

      Fergie is racist.
      The fastest growing immigrant population in America is Asian

      • Fergie

        Dec 7, 2018 at 6:33 pm

        . . . And, Mexican Americans are the second fastest growing demographic.
        So what?
        I’m not talking about “white” women.
        I’m talking about American women.
        When I say Asian women, I’m talking about Koreans, Japanese, etc.
        Their culture embraces women’s golf.
        American culture obviously does not.
        About 70% of the responses here testify to that!

      • Jordan

        Dec 7, 2018 at 10:13 pm

        Dude how do you get to that conclusion from that statement? Can you even read? Fergie is merely alluding to the challenge with amateur woman’s golf in America and how Asian countries do a better job at creating woman professional golfers currently.

      • Fergie

        Dec 7, 2018 at 11:51 pm

        Yeah, and the second fastest is Latino. So what? I said, grow the game in America, not grow the game for white women.
        I’ve been married to an Asian for 27 years.

        Who’s the bigot, now?

        • CaoNiMa

          Dec 8, 2018 at 1:57 am

          Prove it. Links to your home pages.
          If not, then you’re just another idiot troll who’s not very smart, who just complains on a place like this, thinking that complaining behind a concealed ID is being intelligent. It’s not. You’re not.

          • Fergie

            Dec 8, 2018 at 3:52 pm

            I’m not linking you to anything, Idiot.
            She’s half Chinese, half Pacific Islander. 100% naturalized US citizen.
            Not a ChiCom.

  26. I guess I’m an idiot

    Dec 7, 2018 at 11:08 am

    The Masters is easily my favorite major of the year, but for people to completely ignore Augusta National’s shady, racist past just shows how out of touch people are. The fact that woman who are way better than any of you will ever be, simply want an opportunity to play competitive golf at the #1 course in the world, and that is a future you wouldn’t condone, is unbelievable. What do you tell your daughters?

    • Jamie

      Dec 7, 2018 at 12:32 pm

      That you’re an idiot. Are you even capable of procreation, cakeboy? Augusta is a private club and can make its own rules. Women can start their own club and have their own tournaments. But I guess it’s just easier to tell gov to take from others and redistribute?

      • I guess I’m an idiot

        Dec 7, 2018 at 3:28 pm

        Dude, so let me understand this. Because I’m arguing that women should have the ability to play an event at the best course in the country, you’re questioning my ability to procreate?

        Being a middle aged man with a name like Jamie, I can tell you’ve dealt with some shit. Either that or it sounds like some woman ran an absolute TRAIN on you at some point in your life. Sorry about that man.

    • Brian

      Dec 7, 2018 at 3:21 pm

      They tell them how to be submissive to their future husbands. They tell them to learn how to cook and clean. They tell them it’s an honor to be looked upon with desire by men. But they don’t tell them anything empowering, because that might detract from their “masculinity”.

      I’m glad we’re banging the same drum here. People know it takes money to make the game grow, but no one wants to be the one to take on the big risk to help the game make money. They’ll only jump on board once it’s safe to do so. Let the women play anywhere they want to. It’s obscene that this is still considered normal and acceptable.

      Keep telling the truth. You’re one of the good ones.

    • Scheiss

      Dec 7, 2018 at 3:49 pm

      Two words, Idiot:
      Lingerie Football

  27. alexdub

    Dec 7, 2018 at 10:53 am

    Interesting that you reference the need for inclusivity in the sport. Isn’t that what ANGC has done with the amateur women’s event? Although professional women’s golf is noticeably short-sided with respect to coverage and attention in the golf world, women’s golf at the amateur level is discriminated and excluded at an exponentially higher level. Outside of the inclusion of women in USGA events and the widespread adoption of women’s golf at the collegiate level, ANGC’s new amateur event might be considered one of the most significant milestones ever in women’s golf.

  28. Snowflakes suck

    Dec 7, 2018 at 10:45 am

    It’s a private club. They can do whatever the hell they want.

    If you don’t like it, then maybe you should work your ass off and become a millionaire, then get invited by having a select group of friends in the right places and change their ways.

    Until then…Get lost, losers.

    • eric

      Dec 7, 2018 at 7:53 pm

      “It’s a private club. They can do whatever the hell they want.
      If you don’t like it, then maybe you should work your ass off and become a millionaire, then get invited by having a select group of friends in the right places and change their ways.
      Until then…Get lost, losers.”

      This a billion times over. I’ll never play Augusta. LIfe isn’t fair, I’ll get over it and someday I’ll die.

  29. Clay

    Dec 7, 2018 at 10:44 am

    It would be fun to watch the LPGA play at Augusta, BUT it is a private club and they hold the right to pick and choose who plays their course. Why do we continue to attack private organizations in this country?

    • Jordan's still an idiot

      Dec 7, 2018 at 10:46 am

      Because people are morons.

      • JP

        Dec 7, 2018 at 2:38 pm

        These same people would embrace socialism.

        Don’t earn it, b*#%ch about it until it’s given to you…

    • I guess I’m the idiot

      Dec 7, 2018 at 11:13 am

      Absolutely let them choose. It’s their club do what they want. Just don’t be surprised to get backlash. It took them until 1983 to stop exclusively using staffed black caddies. So I figure we’re on pace for an LPGA event by 2038?

      • AL

        Dec 7, 2018 at 7:12 pm

        News flash shit happened in the past and they corrected it. You dont like it stop watching Augusta events. Im sick of dumb ass people constantly beating a dead horse. I laugh when idiots act like men hate women or something. Women ARE NOT discriminated against. Mens entire lives are dedicated to making women happy. We all have mothers and wives and girlfriends who we love. Hell most of the time its the people crying foul who are really the non tolerant hateful types who cant stand anyone who speaks the truth to them. How about we have real equality and just allow anyone and everyone play in one league?

  30. Jordan

    Dec 7, 2018 at 10:41 am

    Some of these comments are amazing. I figure we have 20 more years of these old blowhards before they start dying off. After they suck social security dry of course.

    • Jordan's an idiot

      Dec 7, 2018 at 10:42 am

      Dear idiot,

      They paid into Social Security just like you and I. Are you saying they don’t deserve it?

      • Jordan

        Dec 7, 2018 at 10:55 am

        It’s not our problem these good ole boy traditionalists were 1 of 8-10 siblings who all have zero future translatable workforce skills that they have to bleed social programs dry all because the future is “changing too fast for them”. But atelast they’ll get to watch good ole boys play golf at Augusta once a year.

  31. T

    Dec 7, 2018 at 10:29 am

    How do you write an article supporting the LPGA and not include any of the 4 players ranked above Lexi Thompson that aren’t American as “worldwide superstars”? Nothing against Lexi, Lydia Ko and Michelle Wie but the international players are easily the biggest worldwide draw for the LPGA. This is super transparent and pretty clearly written by somebody who doesn’t watch much LPGA golf.

  32. Thomas A

    Dec 7, 2018 at 10:21 am

    Bring it on. Let the old guard fade away in their stubborn stupidity as they should.

    • Yep, Jordan's still an idiot

      Dec 7, 2018 at 10:49 am

      Private club’s can do whatever they want. It has nothing to do with “The old guard”

  33. Dr Troy

    Dec 7, 2018 at 10:09 am

    No….No….No….They have their own venues. Sorry, not sorry.

  34. Brian McGranahan

    Dec 7, 2018 at 10:05 am

    An SJW at his worst.

    Why can’t the LPGA have it’s own majors. Why do some women and other SJW think women have to ride the coattails of men, i.e the wnba, lpga, wta?

    Why aren’t the 5 majors they already have enough?

    • Marcus Aurelius

      Dec 7, 2018 at 10:31 am

      If I could somehow super like this comment.. I would. It is OK to have separate venues for men and women. “Progress” has been overused and weaponized to push leftist narratives and disrupt normal behavior – along with many other made up neologisms of the 21st century, especially those ending in ‘ist’,’ia’ and ‘obe’.

      • Jordan

        Dec 7, 2018 at 10:46 am

        Women who are way better than you’ll ever be want to play competitive golf at the best course in the world, and you’re saying this is apart of a liberal narrative? WHAT?!

        Also, who the hell are you to say what “normal behavior” is in the first place?

        Jesus I hope you don’t have a daughter. She’s probably either a maid, seamstress, or a midwife by now.

      • JD

        Dec 7, 2018 at 10:58 am

        Who are you and why are you dictating what normal is?

        • Marcus Aurelius

          Dec 7, 2018 at 11:11 am

          Irrelevant comment – I’m not ‘dictating’ anything. Although I know who you are.. A soy-boy that probably cucks on most issues.

          • JD

            Dec 7, 2018 at 11:19 am

            Very active republican from the great state of Ohio. I think you’ve floated a little too far right of the bell curve though sir. Come back over a little more towards middle. It’s peaceful over here.

            • Marcus Aurelius

              Dec 7, 2018 at 11:26 am

              No bro, you need to wake up. You probably wont and continue your life as an NPC unfortunately.

  35. david forsythe

    Dec 7, 2018 at 10:01 am

    Who is this kid? “….its murky past”.
    Stop please.

  36. JP

    Dec 7, 2018 at 9:46 am

    I disagree.

    I also think it was wrong to ever let a female play Augusta National. The old ways had it right.

    • Golfer Girl

      Dec 7, 2018 at 10:42 am

      As a female who has had the privilege of playing Augusta National, to someone who probably never will, kindly f off.

      • JP

        Dec 7, 2018 at 2:31 pm

        metoo privileged.

        • Jordan

          Dec 7, 2018 at 3:46 pm

          To help you, this was about sexual abuse, and we’re talking about golf here. Keep it together JP!!!

          I bet you were real confused when you forgot why you burned all your Nike stuff too.

          • JP

            Dec 7, 2018 at 10:39 pm

            I burned my nike shyyt because Kaepernig acts like an unpatriotic pig

            • Yes sirrr

              Dec 8, 2018 at 8:56 pm

              I feel like you could benefit from a good ass kicking. I think it would really help you.

      • Jordan

        Dec 7, 2018 at 3:43 pm

        Change scares the shit out of these people. That’s awesome you got to play there.

        Now I’m going to go play an afternoon 9 with the Mrs. (she’s a 5 handicap, I know I’m blessed)

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19th Hole

Vincenzi’s 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open betting preview

Published

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As the Florida swing comes to an end, the PGA Tour makes its way to Houston to play the Texas Children’s Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course.

This will be the fourth year that Memorial Park Golf Course will serve as the tournament host. The event did not take place in 2023, but the course hosted the event in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Memorial Park is a par-70 layout measuring 7,432 yards and features Bermudagrass greens. Historically, the main defense for the course has been thick rough along the fairways and tightly mown runoff areas around the greens. Memorial Park has a unique setup that features three Par 5’s and five Par 3’s.

The field will consist of 132 players, with the top 65 and ties making the cut. There are some big names making the trip to Houston, including Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Tony Finau, Will Zalatoris and Sahith Theegala.

Past Winners at Memorial Park

  • 2022: Tony Finau (-16)
  • 2021: Jason Kokrak (-10)
  • 2020: Carlos Ortiz (-13)

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 Memorial Park

Let’s take a look at several metrics for Memorial Park to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds:

Strokes Gained: Approach

Memorial Park is a pretty tough golf course. Golfers are penalized for missing greens and face some difficult up and downs to save par. Approach will be key.

Total Strokes Gained: Approach per round in past 24 rounds:

  1. Tom Hoge (+1.30)
  2. Scottie Scheffler (+1.26)
  3. Keith Mitchell (+0.97) 
  4. Tony Finau (+0.92)
  5. Jake Knapp (+0.84)

Strokes Gained: Off the Tee

Memorial Park is a long golf course with rough that can be penal. Therefore, a combination of distance and accuracy is the best metric.

Total Strokes Gained: Off the Tee per round in past 24 rounds:

  1. Scottie Scheffler (+0.94)
  2. Kevin Dougherty (+0.93)
  3. Cameron Champ (+0.86)
  4. Rafael Campos (+0.84)
  5. Si Woo Kim (+0.70)

Strokes Gained Putting: Bermudagrass + Fast

The Bermudagrass greens played fairly fast the past few years in Houston. Jason Kokrak gained 8.7 strokes putting on his way to victory in 2021 and Tony Finau gained in 7.8 in 2022.

Total Strokes Gained Putting (Bermudagrass) per round past 24 rounds (min. 8 rounds):

  1. Adam Svensson (+1.27)
  2. Harry Hall (+1.01)
  3. Martin Trainer (+0.94)
  4. Taylor Montgomery (+0.88)
  5. S.H. Kim (+0.86)

Strokes Gained: Around the Green

With firm and undulating putting surfaces, holding the green on approach shots may prove to be a challenge. Memorial Park has many tightly mowed runoff areas, so golfers will have challenging up-and-down’s around the greens. Carlos Ortiz gained 5.7 strokes around the green on the way to victory in 2020.

Total Strokes Gained: Around the Green per round in past 24 rounds:

  1. Mackenzie Hughes (+0.76)
  2. S.H. Kim (+0.68)
  3. Scottie Scheffler (+0.64)
  4. Jorge Campillo (+0.62)
  5. Jason Day (+0.60)

Strokes Gained: Long and Difficult

Memorial Park is a long and difficult golf course. This statistic will incorporate players who’ve had success on these types of tracks in the past. 

Total Strokes Gained: Long and Difficult in past 24 rounds:

  1. Scottie Scheffler (+2.45)
  2. Ben Griffin (+1.75)
  3. Will Zalatoris (+1.73)
  4. Ben Taylor (+1.53)
  5. Tony Finau (+1.42)

Course History

Here are the players who have performed the most consistently at Memorial Park. 

Strokes Gained Total at Memorial Park past 12 rounds:

  1. Tyson Alexander (+3.65)
  2. Ben Taylor (+3.40)
  3. Tony Finau (+2.37)
  4. Joel Dahmen (+2.25)
  5. Patton Kizzire (+2.16)

Statistical Model

Below, I’ve reported overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed.

These rankings are comprised of SG: App (24%) SG: OTT (24%); SG: Putting Bermudagrass/Fast (13%); SG: Long and Difficult (13%); SG: ARG (13%) and Course History (13%)

  1. Scottie Scheffler
  2. Wyndham Clark
  3. Tony Finau
  4. Joel Dahmen
  5. Stephan Jaeger 
  6. Aaron Rai
  7. Sahith Theegala
  8. Keith Mitchell 
  9. Jhonnatan Vegas
  10. Jason Day
  11. Kurt Kitayama
  12. Alex Noren
  13. Will Zalatoris
  14. Si Woo Kim
  15. Adam Long

2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open Picks

Will Zalatoris +2000 (Caesars)

Scottie Scheffler will undoubtedly be difficult to beat this week, so I’m starting my card with someone who I believe has the talent to beat him if he doesn’t have his best stuff.

Will Zalatoris missed the cut at the PLAYERS, but still managed to gain strokes on approach while doing so. In an unpredictable event with extreme variance, I don’t believe it would be wise to discount Zalatoris based on that performance. Prior to The PLAYERS, the 27-year-old finished T13, T2 and T4 in his previous three starts.

Zalatoris plays his best golf on long and difficult golf courses. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 3rd in the category, but the eye test also tells a similar story. He’s contended at major championships and elevated events in the best of fields with tough scoring conditions.  The Texas resident should be a perfect fit at Memorial Park Golf Club.

Alex Noren +4500 (FanDuel)

Alex Noren has been quietly playing some of his best golf of the last half decade this season. The 41-year-old is coming off back-to-back top-20 finishes in Florida including a T9 at The PLAYERS in his most recent start.

In his past 24 rounds, Noren ranks 21st in the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, 30th in Strokes Gained: Around the Green, 25th in Strokes Gained: Total on long and difficult courses and 21st in Strokes Gained: Putting on fast Bermudagrass greens.

In addition to his strong recent play, the Swede also has played well at Memorial Park. In 2022, Noren finished T4 at the event, gaining 2.2 strokes off the tee and 7.0 strokes on approach for the week. In his two starts at the course, he’s gained an average of .6 strokes per round on the field, indicating he is comfortable on these greens.

Noren has been due for a win for what feels like an eternity, but Memorial Park may be the course that suits him well enough for him to finally get his elusive first PGA Tour victory.

Mackenzie Hughes +8000 (FanDuel)

Mackenzie Hughes found himself deep into contention at last week’s Valspar Championship before faltering late and finishing in a tie for 3rd place. While he would have loved to win the event, it’s hard to see the performance as anything other than an overwhelming positive sign for the Canadian.

Hughes has played great golf at Memorial Park in the past. He finished T7 in 2020, T29 in 2021 and T16 in 2022. The course fit seems to be quite strong for Hughes. He’s added distance off the tee in the past year or and ranks 8th in the field for apex height, which will be a key factor when hitting into Memorial Park’s elevated greens with steep run-off areas.

In his past 24 rounds, Hughes is the best player in the field in Strokes Gained: Around the Greens. The ability to scramble at this course will be extremely important. I believe Hughes can build off of his strong finish last week and contend once again to cement himself as a President’s Cup consideration.

Akshay Bhatia +8000 (FanDuel)

Akshay Bhatia played well last week at the Valspar and seemed to be in total control of his golf ball. He finished in a tie for 17th and shot an impressive -3 on a difficult Sunday. After struggling Thursday, Akshay shot 68-70-68 in his next three rounds.

Thus far, Bhatia has played better at easier courses, but his success at Copperhead may be due to his game maturing. The 22-year-old has enormous potential and the raw talent to be one of the best players in the world when he figures it all out.

Bhatia is a high upside play with superstar qualities and may just take the leap forward to the next stage of his career in the coming months.

Cameron Champ +12000 (FanDuel)

Cameron Champ is a player I often target in the outright betting market due to his “boom-or-bust” nature. It’s hard to think of a player in recent history with three PGA Tour wins who’s been as inconsistent as Champ has over the course of his career.

Despite the erratic play, Cam Champ simply knows how to win. He’s won in 2018, 2019 and 2021, so I feel he’s due for a win at some point this season. The former Texas A&M product should be comfortable in Texas and last week he showed us that his game is in a pretty decent spot.

Over his past 24 rounds, Champ ranks 3rd in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 30th in Strokes Gained: Total on long and difficult courses. Given his ability to spike at any given time, Memorial Park is a good golf course to target Champ on at triple digit odds.

Robert MacIntyre +12000 (FanDuel)

The challenge this week is finding players who can possibly beat Scottie Scheffler while also not dumping an enormous amount of money into an event that has a player at the top that looks extremely dangerous. Enter McIntyre, who’s another boom-or-bust type player who has the ceiling to compete with anyone when his game is clicking on all cylinders.

In his past 24 rounds, MacIntyre ranks 16th in the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, 17th in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and 10th in Strokes Gained: Total on long and difficult courses.

MacIntyre’s PGA Tour season has gotten off to a slow start, but he finished T6 in Mexico, which is a course where players will hit driver on the majority of their tee shots, which is what we will see at Memorial Park. Texas can also get quite windy, which should suit MacIntyre. Last July, the Scot went toe to toe with Rory McIlroy at the Scottish Open before a narrow defeat. It would take a similar heroic effort to compete with Scheffler this year in Houston.

Ryan Moore +15000 (FanDuel)

Ryan Moore’s iron play has been absolutely unconscious over his past few starts. At The PLAYERS Championship in a loaded field, he gained 6.1 strokes on approach and last week at Copperhead, he gained 9.0 strokes on approach.

It’s been a rough handful of years on Tour for the 41-year-old, but he is still a five-time winner on the PGA Tour who’s young enough for a career resurgence. Moore has chronic deterioration in a costovertebral joint that connects the rib to the spine, but has been getting more consistent of late, which is hopefully a sign that he is getting healthy.

Veterans have been contending in 2024 and I believe taking a flier on a proven Tour play who’s shown signs of life is a wise move at Memorial Park.

 

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Opinion & Analysis

Ryan: Why the race to get better at golf might be doing more harm than good

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B.F. Skinner was one of the most important psychologists of the 20th century, developing the foundation of the development of reinforcement, and in doing so, creating the concept of behaviorism. In simple terms, this means that we are conditioned by our habits. In practical terms, it explains the divide between the few and far between elite instructors and college coaches.

To understand the application, let’s quickly review one of B.F. Skinner’s most important experiments; superstitions in the formation of behavior by pigeons. In this experiment, food was dispensed to pigeons at random intervals. Soon, according to Skinner, the pigeons began to associate whatever action they were doing at the time of the food being dispensed. According to Skinner, this conditioned that response and soon, they simply haphazardly repeated the action, failing to distinguish between cause and correlation (and in the meantime, looking really funny!).

Now, this is simply the best way to describe the actions of most every women’s college golf coach and too many instructors in America. They see something work, get positive feedback and then become conditioned to give the feedback, more and more, regardless of if it works (this is also why tips from your buddies never work!).

Go to a college event, particularly a women’s one, and you will see coaches running all over the place. Like the pigeons in the experiment, they have been conditioned into a codependent relationship with their players in which they believe their words and actions, can transform a round of golf. It is simply hilarious while being equally perturbing

In junior golf, it’s everywhere. Junior golf academies make a living selling parents that a hysterical coach and over-coaching are essential ingredients in your child’s success.

Let’s be clear, no one of any intellect has any real interest in golf — because it’s not that interesting. The people left, including most coaches and instructors, carve out a small fiefdom, usually on the corner of the range, where they use the illusion of competency to pray on people. In simple terms, they baffle people with the bullshit of pseudo-science that they can make you better, after just one more lesson.

The reality is that life is an impromptu game. The world of golf, business, and school have a message that the goal is being right. This, of course, is bad advice, being right in your own mind is easy, trying to push your ideas on others is hard. As a result, it is not surprising that the divorce rate among golf professionals and their instructors is 100 percent. The transfer rate among college players continues to soar, and too many courses have a guy peddling nefarious science to good people. In fact, we do at my course!

The question is, what impact does all this have on college-age and younger kids? At this point, we honestly don’t know. However, I am going to go out on a limb and say it isn’t good.

Soren Kierkegaard once quipped “I saw it for what it is, and I laughed.” The actions of most coaches and instructors in America are laughable. The problem is that I am not laughing because they are doing damage to kids, as well as driving good people away from this game.

The fact is that golfers don’t need more tips, secrets, or lessons. They need to be presented with a better understanding of the key elements of golf. With this understanding, they can then start to frame which information makes sense and what doesn’t. This will emancipate them and allow them to take charge of their own development.

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19th Hole

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

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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.

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