Opinion & Analysis
Clark: Give Nike Golf credit where credit is due
Remember all the criticism hurled at Rory McIlroy when he decided to switch to Nike Golf equipment? It’s quieter now, isn’t it?
The meteoric rise of Nike Golf has been nothing short of amazing considering that not very long ago, Nike Golf was the new kid on the block in the golf club business; a young company in a very old, well-developed industry. The success of Tiger Woods — and more recently McIlroy and Michelle Wie — has certainly been a huge part of the company’s growth, but success in the golf equipment industry has always come down to one thing: Do the clubs perform or not?
I’ve been on staff with Nike Golf now for some 10 years, so I’ve had a front row seat to watch it develop from an apparel company that also sold golf clubs to a full-fledged golf equipment powerhouse. It’s true that Nike is my company of choice as a golf professional, but If you’ve read any of my other GolfWRX stories you know that I let history, science and little else affect my opinions.
Here’s a story that nicely sums up Nike’s progress in the golf equipment world. I was giving a lesson about eight years ago and when we finished the student told me that he was interested in trying a new driver. I gave him mine to hit, a Nike Sasquatch, which at the time was one of the most forgiving drivers on the market and was pretty hot, too. But it had a problem and if you’ve ever hit one you know exactly what it was. People say it sounded like an aluminum baseball bat at impact and frankly I have to agree. While it was a great performer, it was one of the loudest drivers I’ve ever heard on the range.
Fast forward to today and you’ll find that Nike makes some of the best-looking, best-sounding and sweetest-feeling golf clubs in the industry. They offer a wide-ranging line of drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, putters and golf balls that have impressed everyone from the mini-tour players I teach to golfers who are just learning the game.
I’ve also been impressed with Nike’s ascendance on the PGA Tour. The company has teamed up with some the Tour’s finest young players: Kevin Chappell, Kyle Stanley, Scott Brown, Seung Yul Noh, Russell Henley, Jhonny Vegas and the world’s former No. 1-ranked amateur Patrick Rodgers. Ten years ago, it might have been hard for Nike to attract so many good young players to its golf brand. Now, Nike has its pick of the litter. That says a lot about how the perception of Nike Golf has changed among good players.
I also have great respect for the performance-first approach the GolfWRX Staff took with its 2014 Gear Trials: Best Clubs list, and you’ll see that Nike lead the way in several categories with its Covert 2.0 and 2.0 Tour drivers, and posted even more impressive results in the Best Players Irons and Best Game-Improvement irons with its Covert Forged and Covert 2.0 irons, respectively.
It is not hard to see why. As a teaching professional, I rely on feedback from my students and ball flight observations of my own. My FlightScope radar gives me raw data, but no technology can capture feel, that elusive feedback we get from impact and ball flight. The overwhelming positive responses I get from the current Nike offerings sanction my recommendations time after time.
It has been my experience that brand loyalty is not as high on a golfer’s priority list as one might think; my students will hit brand “XYZ” if I can show them the results, and Nike’s clubs and golf balls absolutely perform. For better players, Nike is truly at the forefront in the players irons and wedge categories, producing clubs that are not only innovative but meet incredibly high standards in looks, feel and performance.
The company’s master model maker, Mike Taylor, is the only living club maker who has made custom clubs for Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, and he was the force behind Nike’s new VR X3X Toe Sweep wedges, which have their heels designed in a way that allows golfers to hit shots around the green from deep rough without the heel-snagging problem that can affect more traditional wedges. For such a different-looking wedge, the reception with tour players has been phenomenal.
The radical-looking Nike VR X3X Toe Sweep wedge that Rory McIlroy used to win the BMW PGA Championship. Michelle Wie also won the 2014 U.S. Open with two Toe Sweep wedges in her bag (56 and 60 degrees).
McIlroy used a 59-degree Toe Sweep to win the BMW PGA Championship, Europe’s most prestigious event outside The Open Championship. Michelle Wie used a combination of Nike’s VR X3X Dual Sole and Toe Sweep wedges to win her first major, the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst. The list goes on and on.
Nike Golf has never lost sight of its original goal when it entered the golf equipment space: To be the best. Neither the company’s affiliation with Nike Inc., nor its star-studded lineup of athletes who play its equipment could truly move Nike Golf toward that goal without a dedication to create the industry’s best products for its best players. The Nike Golf team also knew that it had to capture the great mass of average golfers around the world by crafting golf clubs that work for them, too, and the company has done just that.
How has Nike Golf come so far, so fast? It’s a simple formula: Hire the best people, listen to the industry’s feedback and make products of the highest quality. And as Nike so quickly learned, they should look, sound and feel amazing, too. At this rate of progress, the sky is truly the limit for them.
As always, feel free to send a swing video to my Facebook page and I will do my best to give you my feedback.
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 PGA Championship betting preview: Rising star ready to join the immortals at Valhalla
The second major of the 2024 season is upon us as the world’s best players will tee it up this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky to compete for the Wanamaker Trophy.
The last time we saw Valhalla host a major championship, Rory McIlroy fended off Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Rickie Fowler and the creeping darkness that was descending upon the golf course. The Northern Irishman had the golf world in the palm of his hand, joining only Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as players who’d won four major championships by the time they were 25 years old.
Valhalla is named after the great hall described in Norse mythology where the souls of Vikings feasted and celebrated with the Gods. The course is a Jack Nicklaus-design that has ranked among Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Courses” for three decades.
Valhalla Golf Club is a par-71 measuring 7,542 yards with Zoysia fairways and Bentgrass greens. The course has rolling hills and dangerous streams scattered throughout and the signature 13th hole is picturesque with limestone and unique bunkering protecting the green. The 2024 PGA Championship will mark the fourth time Valhalla has hosted the event.
The field this week will consist of 156 players, including 16 PGA Champions and 33 Major Champions. All of the top players will be here gunning for the glory of a major championship with the exception of
Past Winners of the PGA Championship
- 2023: Brooks Koepka (-9) Oak Hill
- 2022: Justin Thomas (-5) Southern Hills
- 2021: Phil Mickelson (-6) Kiawah Island
- 2020: Collin Morikawa (-13) TPC Harding Park
- 2019: Brooks Koepka (-8) Bethpage Black
- 2018: Brooks Koepka (-16) Bellerive
- 2017: Justin Thomas (-8) Quail Hollow
- 2016: Jimmy Walker (-14) Baltusrol
- 2015: Jason Day (-20) Whistling Straits
- 2014: Rory McIlroy (-16) Valhalla
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 Valhalla
Let’s take a look at five key metrics for Oak Hill to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.
1. Strokes Gained: Approach
Valhalla will play as a true all-around test of golf for the world’s best. Of course, it will take strong approach play to win a major championship.
Strokes Gained: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Shane Lowry (+1.25)
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.09)
- Jordan Smith (+1.05)
- Tom Hoge (+.96)
- Corey Conners (+.94)
2. Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Valhalla will play long and the rough will be penal. Players who are incredibly short off the tee and/or have a hard time hitting fairways will be all but eliminated from contention this week at the PGA Championship.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Bryson DeChambeau (+1.47)
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.11)
- Keith Mitchell (+.90)
- Alejandro Tosti (+.89)
- Ludvig Aberg (+.82)
Strokes Gained: Total on Nickalus Designs
Valhalla is a classic Nicklaus Design. Players who play well at Nicklaus designs should have an advantage coming into this major championship.
Strokes Gained: Total on Nicklaus Designs over past 36 rounds:
- Jon Rahm (+2.56)
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.48)
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.35)
- Collin Morikawa (+1.79)
- Shane Lowry (+1.57)
Strokes Gained: Tee to Green on Very Long Courses
Valhalla is going to play extremely long this week. Players who have had success playing very long golf courses should be better equipped to handle the conditions of this major championship.
Strokes Gained: Total on Very Long Courses Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.44)
- Rory McIlroy (+2.24)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.78)
- Viktor Hovland (+1.69)
- Xander Schauffele (+1.60)
Strokes Gained: Total in Major Championships
One factor that tends to play a large role in deciding major championships is which players have played well in previous majors leading up to the event.
Strokes Gained: Total in Major Championships over past 20 rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+3.14)
- Will Zalatoris (+2.64)
- Rory McIlroy (+2.49)
- Xander Schauffele (+2.48)
- Tommy Fleetwood (2.09)
Strokes Gained: Putting on Bentgrass Greens
Valhalla features pure Bentgrass putting surfaces. Players who are comfortable putting on this surface will have an advantage on the greens.
Strokes Gained: Putting on Bentgrass Greens over Past 24 Rounds:
- Ludvig Aberg (+1.12)
- Denny McCarthy (+1.08)
- Matt Fitzpatrick (+0.99)
- Justin Rose (+0.93)
- J.T. Poston (0.87)
Strokes Gained: Total on Zoysia Fairways
Valhalla features Zoysia fairways. Players who are comfortable playing on this surface will have an advantage on the field.
Strokes Gained: Total on Zoysia Fairways over past 36 rounds:
- Justin Thomas (+1.53)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.47)
- Xander Schauffele (+1.40)
- Brooks Koepka (+1.35)
- Rory McIlroy (+1.23)
2024 PGA Championship Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (25%), SG: Off the Tee (22%), SG: T2G on Very Long Courses (12%), SG: Putting on Bentgrass (+12%), SG: Total on Nicklaus Designs (12%). SG: Total on Zoysia Fairways (8%), and SG: Total in Major Championships (8%).
- Brooks Koepka
- Xander Schauffele
- Rory McIlroy
- Scottie Scheffler
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Shane Lowry
- Alex Noren
- Will Zalatoris
- Cameron Young
- Keith Mitchell
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Billy Horschel
- Patrick Cantlay
- Viktor Hovland
- Adam Schenk
- Chris Kirk
- Sahith Theegala
- Min Woo Lee
- Joaquin Niemann
- Justin Thomas
2024 PGA Championship Picks
Ludvig Aberg +1800 (BetMGM)
At The Masters, Ludvig Aberg announced to the golf world that he’s no longer an “up and coming” player. He’s one of the best players in the game of golf, regardless of experience.
Augusta National gave Aberg some necessary scar tissue and showed him what being in contention at a major championship felt like down the stretch. Unsurprisingly, he made a costly mistake, hitting it in the water left of the 11th hole, but showed his resilience by immediately bouncing back. He went on to birdie two of his next three holes and finished in solo second by three shots. With the type of demeanor that remains cool in pressure situations, I believe Ludvig has the right mental game to win a major at this point in his career.
Aberg has not finished outside of the top-25 in his past eight starts, which includes two runner-up finishes at both a “Signature Event” and a major championship. The 24-year-old is absolutely dominant with his driver, which will give him a major advantage this week. In the field he ranks, in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, and has gained strokes in the category in each of his past ten starts. Aberg is already one of the best drivers of the golf ball on the planet.
In Norse mythology, Valhalla is the great hall where the souls of Vikings feasted and celebrated with the Gods. The Swedes, who are of Old Norse origin, were the last of the three Scandinavian Kingdoms to abandon the Old Norse Gods. A Swede played a major role in the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla, and I believe another, Ludvig Aberg, will be the one to conquer Valhalla in 2024.
Bryson DeChambeau +2800 (BetMGM)
Bryson DeChambeau is one of the few players in the world that I believe has the game to go blow-for-blow with Scottie Scheffler. Although he isn’t as consistent as Scheffler, when he’s at his best, Bryson has the talent to beat him.
At The Masters, DeChambeau put forth a valiant effort at a golf course that simply does not suit his game. Valhalla, on the other hand, is a course that should be perfect for the 30-year-old. His ability to overpower a golf course with his driver will be a serious weapon this week.
Bryson has had some success at Jack Nicklaus designs throughout his career as he won the Memorial at Muirfield Village back in 2018. He’s also had incredible results on Bentgrass greens for the entirety of his professional career. Of his 10 wins, nine of them have come on Bentgrass greens, with the only exception being the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. He also has second place finishes at Medinah and TPC Summerlin, which feature Bentgrass greens.
Love him or hate him, it’s impossible to argue that Bryson isn’t one of the most exciting and important players in the game of golf. He’s also one of the best players in the world. A second major is coming soon for DeChambeau, and I believe he should be amongst the favorites to hoist the Wanamaker Trophy this week.
Patrick Cantlay +4000 (FanDuel)
There’s no way of getting around it: Patrick Cantlay has been dissapointing in major championships throughout his professional career. He’s been one of the top players on Tour for a handful of years and has yet to truly contend at a major championship, with the arguable exception of the 2019 Masters.
Despite not winning majors, Cantlay has won some big events. The 32-year-old has won two BMW Championships, two Memorial Tournaments as well as a Tour Championship. His victories at Memorial indicate how much Cantlay loves Nicklaus designs, where he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Total over his past 36 rounds behind only Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm.
Cantlay also loves Bentgrass greens. Six of Cantlay’s seven individual wins on the PGA Tour have come on Bentgrass greens and he also was one of the best putters at the 2023 Ryder cup at Marco Simone (also Bentgrass). At Caves Valley (2021 BMW Championship), he gained over 12 strokes putting to outduel another Bentgrass specialist, Bryson DeChambeau.
Cantlay finished 22nd in The Masters, which was a solid result considering how many elite players struggled that week. He also has two top-ten finishes in his past five PGA Championships. He’s undeniably one of the best players in the field, therefore, it comes down to believing Cantlay has the mental fortitude to win a major, which I do.
Joaquin Niemann +4000 (BetMGM)
I believe Joaquin Niemann is one of the best players in the world. He has three worldwide wins since December and has continued to improve over the course of his impressive career thus far. Still only 25, the Chilean has all the tools to be a serious contender in major championships for years to come.
Niemann has been the best player on LIV this season. Plenty will argue with the format or source of the money on LIV, but no one can argue that beating players such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith is an unremarkable achievement. Niemann is an elite driver of the golf ball who hits it farther than just about anyone in the field not named Bryson DeChambeau or (arguably) Rory McIlroy.
Niemann is another player who has been fantastic throughout his career on Bentgrass greens. Prior to leaving the PGA Tour, Bentgrass was the only green surface in which Joaco was a positive putter. It’s clearly a surface that he is very comfortable putting on and should fare around and on the greens this week.
Niemann is a perfect fit for Valhalla. His low and penetrating ball flight will get him plenty of runout this week on the fairways and he should have shorter shots into the green complexes than his competitors. To this point in his career, the former top ranked amateur in the world (2018) has been underwhelming in major championships, but I don’t believe that will last much longer. Joaquin Niemann is a major championship caliber player and has a real chance to contend this week at Valhalla.
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In my last post, I explained the basic performance dynamics of “smash factor” and “gear effect” as they apply to your wedges and your wedge play success. If you missed that post, you can read it here.
At the end of that post, I promised “part 2” of this discussion of what makes a wedge work the way it does. So, let’s dive into the other two components of any wedge – the shaft and the grip.
It’s long been said that the shaft is “the engine of the golf club.” The shaft (and grip) are your only connection to all the technologies that are packed into the head of any golf club, whether it be a driver, fairway, hybrid, iron, wedge or even putter.
And you cannot ignore those two components of your wedges if your goal is optimizing your performance.
I’ve long been an advocate of what I call a “seamless transition” from your irons into your wedges, so that the feel and performance do not disconnect when you choose a gap wedge, for example, instead of your iron-set-matching “P-club.” In today’s golf equipment marketplace, more and more golfers are making the investment of time and money to experience an iron fitting, going through trial and error and launch monitor measuring to get just the right shaft in their irons.
But then so many of those same golfers just go into a store and choose wedges off the retail display, with no similar science involved at all. And that’s why I see so many golfers with a huge disconnect between their custom-fitted irons, often with lighter and/or softer graphite or light steel shafts . . . and their off-the-rack wedges with the stock stiff steel ‘wedge flex’ shaft common to those stock offerings.
If your wedge shafts are significantly heavier and stiffer than the shafts in your irons, it is physically impossible for you to make the same swing. Period.
To quickly improve your wedge play, one of the first things you can do is have your wedges re-shafted with the same or similar shaft that is in your irons.
There’s another side of that shaft weight equation; if you don’t have the forearm and hand strength of a PGA Tour professional, you simply cannot “handle” the same weight shaft that those guys play to master the myriad of ‘touch shots’ around the greens.
Now, let’s move on to the third and other key component of your wedges – the grips. If those are not similar in shape and feel to the grips on your irons, you have another disconnect. Have your grips checked by a qualified golf club professionals to make sure you are in sync there.
The one caveat to that advice is that I am a proponent of a reduced taper in your wedge grips – putting two to four more layers of tape under the lower hand, or selecting one of the many reduced taper grips on the market. That accomplishes two goals for your scoring.
First, it helps reduce overactive hands in your full and near-full wedge swings. Quiet hands are key to good wedge shots.
And secondly, it provides a more consistent feel of the wedge in your hands as you grip down for those shorter and more delicate shots around the greens. And you should always grip down as you get into those touch shots. I call it “getting closer to your work.”
So, if you will spend as much time selecting the shafts and grips for your wedges as you do choosing the brand, model, and loft of them, your scoring range performance will get better.
More from the Wedge Guy
- The Wedge Guy: What really makes a wedge work? Part 1
- The Wedge Guy: The easiest-to-learn golf basic
- The Wedge Guy: Golf mastery begins with your wedge game
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 Wells Fargo Championship betting preview: Tommy Fleetwood ready to finally land maiden PGA Tour title
The PGA Tour season ramps back up this week for another “signature event,” as golf fans look forward to the year’s second major championship next week.
After two weaker-field events in the Zurich Classic and the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, most of the best players in the world will head to historic Quail Hollow for one of the best non-major tournaments of the year.
Last season, Wyndham Clark won the event by four shots.
Quail Hollow is a par-71 measuring 7,521 yards that features Bermudagrass greens. The tree-lined, parkland style course can play quite difficult and features one of the most difficult three-hole stretches in golf known as “The Green Mile,” which makes up holes 16-18: two mammoth par 4s and a 221-yard par 3. All three holes have an average score over par, and water is in play in each of the last five holes on the course.
The field is excellent this week with 68 golfers teeing it up without a cut. All of the golfers who’ve qualified are set to tee it up, with the exception of Scottie Scheffler, who is expecting the birth of his first child.
Past Winners at Quail Hollow
- 2023: Wyndham Clark (-19)
- 2022: Max Homa (-8)
- 2021: Rory McIlroy (-10)
- 2019: Max Homa (-15)
- 2018: Jason Day (-12)
- 2017: Justin Thomas (-8) (PGA Championship)
- 2016: James Hahn (-9)
- 2015: Rory McIlroy (-21)
Key Stats For Quail Hollow
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes gained: Approach will be extremely important this week as second shots at Quail Hollow can be very difficult.
Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Akshay Bhatia (+1.16)
- Tom Hoge (+1.12)
- Corey Conners (+1.01)
- Shane Lowry (+0.93)
- Austin Eckroat (+0.82)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Quail Hollow is a long course on which it is important to play from the fairway. Both distance and accuracy are important, as shorter tee shots will result in approach shots from 200 or more yards. With most of the holes heavily tree lined, errant drives will create some real trouble for the players.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Past 24 Rounds:
- Ludvig Aberg (+0.73)
- Rory McIlroy (+0.69)
- Xander Schauffele (+0.62)
- Viktor Hovland (+0.58)
- Chris Kirk (+0.52)
Proximity: 175-200
The 175-200 range is key at Quail Hollow. Players who can hit their long irons well will rise to the top of the leaderboard.
Proximity: 175-200+ over past 24 rounds:
- Cameron Young (28’2″)
- Akshay Bhatia (29’6″)
- Ludvig Aberg (+30’6″)
- Sam Burns (+30’6″)
- Collin Morikawa (+30’9″)
SG: Total on Tom Fazio Designs
Players who thrive on Tom Fazio designs get a bump for me at Quail Hollow this week.
SG: Total on Tom Fazio Designs over past 36 rounds:
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.10)
- Rory McIlroy (+1.95)
- Tommy Fleetwood (+1.68)
- Austin Eckroat (+1.60)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.57)
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass)
Strokes Gained: Putting has historically graded out as the most important statistic at Quail Hollow. While it isn’t always predictable, I do want to have it in the model to bump up golfers who prefer to putt on Bermudagrass.
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass) Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Taylor Moore (+0.82)
- Nick Dunlap (+.76)
- Wyndham Clark (+.69)
- Emiliano Grillo (+.64)
- Cam Davis (+.61)
Course History
This stat will incorporate players that have played well in the past at Quail Hollow.
Course History over past 36 rounds (per round):
- Rory McIlroy (+2.50)
- Justin Thomas (+1.96)
- Jason Day (+1.92)
- Rickie Fowler (+1.83)
- Viktor Hovland (+1.78)
Wells Fargo Championship Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), SG: Off the Tee (23%), SG: Total on Fazio designs (12%), Proximity: 175-200 (12%), SG: Putting Bermuda grass (12%), and Course History (14%).
- Wyndham Clark
- Rory McIlroy
- Xander Schauffele
- Shane Lowry
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Viktor Hovland
- Cameron Young
- Austin Eckroat
- Byeong Hun An
- Justin Thomas
2024 Wells Fargo Championship Picks
Tommy Fleetwood +2500 (DraftKings)
I know many out there have Tommy fatigue when it comes to betting, which is completely understandable given his lack of ability to win on the PGA Tour thus far in his career. However, history has shown us that players with Fleetwood’s talent eventually break though, and I believe for Tommy, it’s just a matter of time.
Fleetwood has been excellent on Tom Fazio designs. Over his past 36 rounds, he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Total on Fazio tracks. He’s also been incredibly reliable off the tee this season. He’s gained strokes in the category in eight of his past nine starts, including at The Masters, the PLAYERS and the three “signature events” of the season. Tommy is a golfer built for tougher courses and can grind it out in difficult conditions.
Last year, Fleetwood was the first-round leader at this event, firing a Thursday 65. He finished the event in a tie for 5th place.
For those worried about Fleetwood’s disappointing start his last time out at Harbour Town, he’s bounced back nicely after plenty of poor outings this season. His T7 at the Valero Texas Open was after a MC and T35 in his prior two starts and his win at the Dubai Invitational came after a T47 at the Sentry.
I expect Tommy to bounce back this week and contend at Quail Hollow.
Justin Thomas +3000 (DraftKings)
It’s been a rough couple of years for Justin Thomas, but I don’t believe things are quite as bad as they seem for JT. He got caught in the bad side of the draw at Augusta for last month’s Masters and has gained strokes on approach in seven of his nine starts in 2024.
Thomas may have found something in his most recent start at the RBC Heritage. He finished T5 at a course that he isn’t the best fit for on paper. He also finally got the putter working and ranked 15th in Strokes Gained: Putting for the week.
The two-time PGA champion captured the first of his two major championships at Quail Hollow back in 2017, and some good vibes from the course may be enough to get JT out of his slump.
Thomas hasn’t won an event in just about two years. However, I still believe that will change soon as he’s been one of the most prolific winners throughout his PGA Tour career. Since 2015, he has 15 PGA Tour wins.
Course history is pretty sticky at Quail Hollow, with players who like the course playing well there on a regular basis. In addition to JT’s PGA Championship win in 2017, he went 4-1 at the 2022 Presidents Cup and finished T14 at the event last year despite being in poor form. Thomas can return as one of the top players on the PGA Tour with a win at a “signature event” this week.
Cameron Young +3500 (DraftKings)
For many golf bettors, it’s been frustrating backing Cam Young this season. His talent is undeniable, and one of the best and most consistent performers on the PGA Tour. He just hasn’t broken through with a victory yet. Quail Hollow has been a great place for elite players to get their first victory. Rory McIlroy, Anthony Kim, Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark all notched their first PGA Tour win at Quail.
Throughout Cam Young’s career, he has thrived at tougher courses with strong fields. This season, he finished T16 at Riviera and T9 at Augusta National, demonstrating his preference of a tough test. His ability to hit the ball long and straight off the tee make him an ideal fit for Quail Hollow, despite playing pretty poorly his first time out in 2023 (T59). Young should be comfortable playing in the region as he played his college golf at Wake Forest, which is about an hour’s drive from Quail Hollow.
The 26-year-old has played well at Tom Fazio designs in the past and ranks 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Total on those courses in his last 36 rounds. Perhaps most importantly, this season, Young is the best player on the PGA Tour in terms of proximity from 175-200 in the fairway, which is where a plurality and many crucial shots will come from this week.
Young is an elite talent and Quail Hollow has been kind to players of his ilk who’ve yet to win on Tour.
Byeong Hun An +5000 (FanDuel)
Byeong Hun An missed some opportunities last weekend at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He finished T4 and played some outstanding golf, but a couple of missed short putts prevented him from getting to the winning score of -23. Despite not getting the win, it’s hard to view An’s performance as anything other than an overwhelming success. It was An’s fourth top-ten finish of the season.
Last week, An gained 6.5 strokes ball striking, which was 7th in the field. He also ranked 12th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th for Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. The South Korean has been hitting the ball so well from tee to green all season long and he now heads to a golf course that should reward his precision.
An’s driver and long irons are absolute weapons. At Quail Hollow, players will see plenty of approach shots from the 175-200 range as well as some from 200+. In his past 24 rounds, Ben ranks 3rd in the field in proximity from 175-200 and 12th in proximity from 200+. Playing in an event that will not end up being a “birdie” fest should help An, who can separate from the field with his strong tee to green play. The putter may not always cooperate but getting to -15 is much easier than getting to -23 for elite ball strikers who tend to struggle on the greens.
Winning a “signature event” feels like a tall task for An this week with so many elite players in the field. However, he’s finished T16 at the Genesis Invitational, T16 at The Masters and T8 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The 32-year-old’s game has improved drastically this season and I believe he’s ready to get the biggest win of his career.
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golffan4life
Sep 7, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Dennis, my son just finished his college career playing all Nike equipment, he has not turned pro and is staying with nike. It has worked for him just fine. The new ball is very good as well. RZN black. Thanks for sticking up for what we feel is a great company.
Mark Thorpe
Aug 20, 2014 at 5:33 pm
My Nike Pro Combos
The seven and nine iron rusted after only two weeks use have been waiting for seven weeks
Don’t buy poor quality poor customer service
Scotty
Aug 5, 2014 at 2:13 pm
…but it’s not Titleist.
4under
Jul 30, 2014 at 2:25 pm
Dear Nike Golf,
Congrats on the recent success.
Your club designs / quality control are still awful.
Justin
Aug 17, 2014 at 11:54 pm
Isn’t that why Tiger uses Muira irons?
golffan4life
Sep 7, 2014 at 2:03 pm
Maybe you are just awful and not the clubs..
Stuart
Jul 26, 2014 at 3:17 am
Couldn’t agree more but I will not buy as in Australia there is no custom fit for nike u buy as if off the shelf which is a big ask to the consumer forking out 1300$ for non fit irons
GChild
Jul 25, 2014 at 7:42 pm
This is a really great article that speaks to the evolution of nike golf, great job! Rory, Money and marketing aside, all of these “young” players could NOT be more competitive and want to win every week. So the mention of the young talent Nike is attracting is a true testament to their commitment to excel and grow their brand. Also, I have know 3 nike staff pros who switched to another mfg because their margins were better and would increase their bottom line so to say the author is biased isn’t entirely true, you have to love the brand and how it performs to stick with a company for over 10 years. Especially if it may it may not be the most profitable.
Dennis Clark
Jul 29, 2014 at 6:01 pm
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the article!
rocagolf
Jul 25, 2014 at 3:45 pm
I know it sounds picky, but why cant they make their newer tour head drivers in black?? That red is so ugly. Doesn’t appeal as much to better amateur players in my (limited) experience, but I reckon Tiger and Rory play them for a reason.
This is part of a broader complaint against drivers for being to gimmicky and ugly. Where are the Mizuno MP 600 classic shaped heads of 4 years ago? Even Titleist stuff sets up shut…
Nike Irons in my experience are quite nice, though they’re a bit goosenecked…
Harry
Jul 24, 2014 at 6:01 pm
No one buys Nike. I mean, they are giving away a free driver with a set of irons at pga. Who does that? They try to flood the market but no one wants the low level cast or standard stuff at least. They have improved, yes, but they are not Go to a country club, how many players use nike? Go to a club that rents clubs …they will tell you people laugh at nike. They are forcing them in your kids especially colleges so they have no choice and they just sponsor them. They are money whores. Over pay tiger Rory and everyone else. Nike is not a top golf company. They have improved but seriously, they aren’t close.
Billy
Jul 25, 2014 at 1:51 am
They are giving away free drivers with irons to compete with other companies, makes sense to me.
Callaway did it, I am sure TM has done it as well.
GChild
Jul 25, 2014 at 7:52 pm
This is a very narrow minded view and makes no sense
JR
Aug 5, 2014 at 4:32 pm
Taylor Made just had a promo giving a free fairway wood with a purchase of a JetSpeed driver.
Harry
Jul 24, 2014 at 5:57 pm
Walk into a pga super store There’s a small section in the corner of the new clubs. The used club rack is flooded with nike. Yes, for the top of the line blades and maybe wedges here may be some quality. Maybe muira doesn’t make tigers irons any more. But either way, while it has come a long way since the ugly sling shots it made, it is no where near on the same level as the top club makers. People can buy what they want and a very few buy nike. Look at the market share. And a tour player can use whatever they want. Very few use nike. They overpay for all their talent. If Rory was given equal money by a competitor he wouldn’t have signed with Nike. And their balls blow. It’s a ridiculous percentage who used titleist this year. What percentage actually used nike balls. The oven is all for show. How do you know the quality??? They have some innovative ideas and good adjustment trends but other companies have actually made it better
James
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:36 pm
^This guy. PGA stores are about as useful as dicks sporting goods. Look how good bringing in tons of product did for them. Selling golf equipment is hard now. Thanks to taylormade and callaway. Nike does it right and puts out great product. Can’t help the dumb closed minded people that probably thing the are tour pros but in reality are a 12 handicap.
Justin
Aug 17, 2014 at 11:59 pm
I wouldn’t say “Great”. I bought a Covert Tour 2.0 to mess with the adjustability (different from my Cobra ZL). It’s very much a “meh” club. I reshafted it to the same as my Cobra, eventually left it on “N” and 10.5 (like the Cobra), and other than the loud impact sound, there isn’t much difference.
Barney Boom
Jul 24, 2014 at 12:34 pm
I was fortunate enough to travel from South Africa to The Oven about a year ago. I must say I was blown away by their dedication to innovation and by not following status quo by designing clubs that aren’t necessarily traditional looking. Their fitting facility is world class and ultimately as a fitter myself I know that by putting Nike clubs in a golfers hands they will perform and are definately a quality product. We need brands that aren’t scared to do something different because if it makes the game easier – I’m all for it
Harry
Jul 24, 2014 at 6:15 pm
Barney drank the kool aid
Patrick R
Jul 25, 2014 at 3:31 pm
Harry drank something else I guess. What did Nike do to you besides market Golf with Tiger to where golf became more popular than ever? Apparently you don’t see how you benefit with all the new courses, golf stores, web sites and product development. I personally don’t own a Nike club, but I have used their balls, they work fine. I have tried their blades and they felt great, I personally like how they have less offset than any of the other sets out there. But come on man, relax. More companies just mean more options for you.
Moon
Jul 24, 2014 at 11:29 am
How could Nike take a credit in Rory’s recent victories? If order to do so, Nike must take a blame for Rory’s slump just before. If a player does well, it’s the equipment and when doesn’t do well it’s all personal?? Also, when Michelle Wie did not play well, it was her father, but now when she won it’s Nike’s credit??
Don’t get me wrong. I like Nike as a company. Most of my apparels as well my balls are Nike. But, I just don’t think there is a credit due for Nike here.. I really don’t think Rory won because the equipments he was playing was superior to what others were playing including Tiger’s. I think he won because of his hard work and talents.
Jimmy
Jul 24, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Nike isn’t taking credit for his win. They, along with his other sponsors, are celebrating and congratulating Rory for his victory and accomplishment using their products. Same for Michelle Wie. If anything, look at the campaign Taylor Made put on when Kaymer won the US Open? It was far more boastful than anything Nike has done.
Moon
Jul 24, 2014 at 1:14 pm
I agree with you 100%. It’s just that the title of this article is “Give Nike Golf credit where credit is due”. 🙂
Dennis Clark
Jul 24, 2014 at 2:42 pm
Moon, The Title refers to Nike Golf’s growth as an equipment company, not “credit” for Rory’s victory. They have reached the top of the industry in a very short time and that’s why credit should be given.
Moon
Jul 25, 2014 at 10:58 am
This I can live better with. Just like pretty much everyone said that Nike produced mediocre equipment and the beginning. But, as the time progressed, Nike is producing top notch products. I just hope they drop “Victory Red” theme in near future. This is coming from a guy who has 5 red polos! 🙂
Jimbo
Jul 24, 2014 at 12:38 pm
The guy who wrote this works for Nike. Just more of an advertisement than an article. Their clubs have been getting gold stars from golf digest and sites for years …since they came out …probably load up review sites with nike staffers
Justin
Aug 18, 2014 at 12:01 am
That’s why they pay the big bucks for ad space… to get those gold and silver stars!
Bluefan75
Jul 24, 2014 at 10:25 am
I have the VR Pro Blades, and let me tell you they are maybe the best feeling blades I have played. And that includes an earlier Mizuno offering. That isn’t to say the others don’t make some quaity products, but Nike is certainly not out of place at the big boy table.
Heck, while I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Method putter, I still have an Ignite from 2008 that has performed quite well for me.
The only issue I have with Nike Golf is that up here in Canada, they will do whatever they can for Golftown, but very few pro shops carry them, and my understanding is that its due to Nike Golf’s lack of interest in them, and not the other way around. Which is a shame if you ask me.
Jon Bon Jovie
Jul 24, 2014 at 9:14 am
Nike is what people who don’t really play golf, or know anything about it, wear/use because they’ve seen Tiger Woods using/wearing it.
Rob
Jul 24, 2014 at 10:30 am
The Covert Forged are an excellent set of sticks for anyone from a 5-15 handicap. The Pro Combos and blades are nice as well.
I won’t fault a person for having a reasonable opinion, but I’d give them a whirl before knocking them. Just because something has a swoosh doesn’t mean it’s inferior.
cheeshead42
Jul 24, 2014 at 1:41 pm
That is just proof that their marketing is working. If every new golfer thinks that Nike is the only brand because Tiger and Rory wear or play it, then their endorsement contracts are more than justified.
Pazinboise
Jul 24, 2014 at 5:21 pm
Now there’s a snobby statement. So what if casual golfers gravitate towards Nike? They make good products end of story. That’s why I have a Covert driver pair with my Mizuno irons.
Harry
Jul 24, 2014 at 6:40 pm
Just look at the percentage of pros that use it……number speak for themselves bro
Pazinboise
Jul 25, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Number of pro using a particular brand doesn’t necessarily speak to the quality of their products. Companies like Callaway and Taylor Made have a lot of pros using their products but that doesn’t mean they make the best equipment. Other factor in addition to performance, like say endorsement money, factor in to Pro decisions to use a particular product. I wouldn’t say Nike make the best product out there but they certainly make a good one. Besides outside of Tiger and a few other pros I’m not sure what their endorsement budget looks like when it comes to golf.
GChild
Jul 25, 2014 at 8:06 pm
That’s right bro! I bet Rory signs with Wilson now since their irons have won the most majors right? If you are quoting numbers and talking taylormade and their Rocketballzier stuff, then this is the most hypocritical stuff I have heard in awhile.
Notorious G.I.B.
Jul 24, 2014 at 8:58 am
i am glad to see Nike doing so well, i remember back in the day when they started putting out golf shoes, boy those were uncomfortable, lol. but, they got better with those and they have come to the table lately with some fine offerings. its good for all in golf to have another company produce solid products. and while i am mostly a TMAG guy, i have used multiple products from Nike over the last 10 years and can say i was never disappointed in any of them. i particularly think they made some great wedges and golf balls as well. i wore those ‘DD’ balls out a few years ago.
as for Rory, i think he had more than equipment issues when he was going through the “slump”, you can tell in his interviews that he was trying to get a grasp of what it really takes to be a megastar in golf.
Nike truly is a power brand now with having both great apparel and great equipment. IMO, a good thing for all golfers to see……
KK
Jul 24, 2014 at 7:55 am
I like all the advancements in tech but I’m not sure it makes too much of a difference at the end of the day and on the scorecard without a proper fitting. Golfers properly fit with 10 year old clubs and shafts will outplay self-fit golfers with the latest equipment (same skill level) the vast majority of the time, IMO.
Dennis Clark
Jul 24, 2014 at 8:23 am
I see your point. I would think the best of both worlds would be latest equipment fit properly. Thx for reading. DC
Justin
Aug 18, 2014 at 12:11 am
Not really.
Driver specs (COR, MOI, head volume, face height, etc.) have been capped for about 7 or so years now. Companies realized years ago that moving the CG of a blade away from the heel and into the center of the face (using shorter hosels and/or adding weight around the toe) actually makes them more playable.
As Barney Adams said in his piece, clubs are “static”. How are they going to improve? It’s not like you can take, say, Scandium and use it for a driver face… it still has to have a COR no higher than .83. Compare that to a cellphone, where this year’s model can have a much more powerful processor in it compared to last year’s.
Jimbo
Jul 24, 2014 at 7:39 am
They have definitely come a long way. New woods are very good and that forged covert set of irons felt great. I think the standard models are good for a mid handicapper, not high. The putters are horrible though. The new wedge looks interesting and I heard they have new technology coming out with new clubs to keep an eye on.
One negative thing I heard from a couple of very experienced club makers, are when they took apart nike clubs they notice the quality of material used to make the clubs are well below average. I just don’t think they can compete with the ping line and those types but, yes they have come a long way.
spinout
Jul 24, 2014 at 3:21 am
The toe sweep looks like the perfect lobbing club out of the rough around the green. Anyone play with it yet or know the loft and bounce offerings?
fit for purpose golf
Jul 24, 2014 at 2:50 am
Very Interesting. I am a UK based club builder and play at a club in Scotland that has just opened the first Nike Performance centre outside of the US, somewhere that European tour pros come to get their Nike gear but also club golfers will be fitted there. It is an amazing set up. To be honest I haven’t done much fitting with Nike products except for a few Pros connected with above venture. In the UK and particularly Scotland where I am based you just never see anyone using Nike woods and I don’t know why. I think it might be a generational thing, talking with US friends they tell me their children won’t wear any sports shoes or clothing that isn’t Nike, when they get into golf they will be Nike devotes. In the UK currently the aspirational brands are Titleist and TaylorMade, and I believe Callaway still has the image that its an “old mans” product. I am going to go out of my way to test Covert 2.0 to at least try and form my own opinion. On a side note I think the toe sweep wedge looks amazing and can’t believe its a new idea as it appears that there are few “new” ideas in golf. 🙂
nicklaus
Jul 24, 2014 at 2:24 am
every major club manufacturer produces a legit product. period. tour players are out there smashing these things pure; day in and day out.
this years major champions have the following sponsors:
Bubba – Ping
Kaymer – TM
Rory – Nike
none of the above conform to the most popular of brands… Buba may play a pro v, but you get the picture. obviously the equipment matters, but to say that one major manufacturer is inferior to the other is rediculous. on that note, im going to try out Cobra’s tour trusty’s… i have a direct connect on these and have been contemplating replacing 3 wedges. after watching Ricky demolish both the british and US open, why would i even second guess it. LOL!
Jeff
Jul 24, 2014 at 1:55 am
Great article. I love the 3wood. But I agree with Heintz, it should get downgraded if it isn’t made lefty. I’m sure if Phil went to Nike he’d get a set made.
Gary Jones
Jul 24, 2014 at 12:30 am
I tried a Covert driver (6-9) months ago and it felt like a brick and the end of the club and I couldn’t hit at all. Maybe it just didn’t fit me that day. But I definitely agree that product loyalty isn’t a big factor as much any more. If the club works, I’m all for it. The better Nike can be the better it will make the rest.
Dennis Clark
Jul 23, 2014 at 10:56 pm
Many would be surprised at how sensitive elite level ball strikers are to very subtle changes in their equipment. It’s amazing really.
Terry
Jul 24, 2014 at 1:13 am
I was not a believer as i remember a bulky yellow club of some sort. This year out of curiosity, I pulled a Covert 5 wood out of a used bin. Never hit them before. It has become my go to and has replaced a utility from another brand. I was stunned how workable and hot it was and promptly went hunting for a 3 wood. These are Standard not tour models. I am a convert. It has become a scoring club for me as it has shortened some par 5s by a full stroke. Totally new and delicious. Keep it up.
Don
Jul 23, 2014 at 9:43 pm
What I don’t get is the absence of golf clubs at the Nike stores, especially after the huge expense with endorsements and ads with Rory and Tiger etc.
For example the Nike store in San Francisco in a high rent area has a huge amount of wasted space in layout and only a small golf apparel section. I stopped in on holiday with time n my hands figuring to give the stuff a good look.
Golferguy1966
Jul 23, 2014 at 8:52 pm
It ain’t the clubs, he could have won with a set of pinseekers.
Dennis Clark
Jul 23, 2014 at 9:20 pm
He did have Pinseekers; they were called Nike 🙂
MHendon
Jul 23, 2014 at 11:56 pm
Yeah but everyone wanted to blame the clubs last year when he was struggling.
David Heintz
Jul 23, 2014 at 8:50 pm
Nice if you are right handed. We lefties don’t get the Covert Forged.
I am of the opinion that a club should at least be down graded in these reviews if it is not available left hand. Other companies make the commitment; they should be recognized.
Dennis Clark
Jul 23, 2014 at 10:50 pm
I agree David and I’ll mention it. Thx for bringing it up.
Billy
Jul 24, 2014 at 1:07 am
LH love coming from Nike in the Fall and in 2015.
Martin
Jul 23, 2014 at 7:13 pm
I bought a Covert 2.0 Driver about a month ago and love the thing after pretty much bashing every Nike product I ever tried.
Desmond
Jul 23, 2014 at 6:58 pm
I wrote a post, saying I guess it wasn’t the clubs after Ror’s victory. All I got was crickets. And I don’t even play Nike. The clubs are better, no doubt. I did play the original Pro Combos, Nike Wedges (all good), and the original SQ — the SQ 2 was the loud one – like someone hit a trash can.
Nike …. you’ve come a long way.
John
Jul 23, 2014 at 2:41 pm
I just picked up a 58 toe sweep. and ah lak it allah.
MHendon
Jul 23, 2014 at 2:14 pm
Dennis like so many WRX’ers at one time I had a hard time taking Nike seriously trusting in more traditional brands like Titleist, Ping, Mizuno, and Cleveland. But two years ago I found myself looking for a new driver. Being somewhat of a traditionalist I came across the VrPro limited with it’s bonded hosel and smaller by today’s standard pear shaped head and decided to give it a try. I found it more forgiving then what I had been using a Titleist 905T, plus it actually felt or sounded better depending on how you judge feel and produced the perfect flight for me. I don’t see it leaving the bag anytime soon.
Dennis Clark
Jul 23, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Yea thats kind of why I wrote this piece. Their stuff is awesome, as good or better than any out there. And they’re not done. Just watch!
Jeff
Jul 23, 2014 at 4:15 pm
That particular club. The vr pro limited driver, I think that was the beginning of the new Nike Golf, since it’s release almost everything has been high quality. I hate the red paint jobs but that will probably be phased out too
Dennis Clark
Jul 23, 2014 at 7:32 pm
I agree; there is always a turning point. The business model has been most effective. Finger on the pulse of the general golf community while crafting tools for the best in the world. They don’t quit!
JBH
Jul 23, 2014 at 5:14 pm
I went through a few drivers before finding the VR Pro Limited Edition. Was tired of all the adjustable heads and gimmicky things on the market, I never adjusted the club head to begin with. Anyhow, I absolutely love this driver, so much so that I went and bought the 3w and 5w. Very clean look and such a nice sound off the forged head. I wish Nike still made these as I would love to have a back up option if I should ever break them. Currently in my bag Nike VR Pro Limited Edition Driver, 3W, 5W, Nike Vr Pro Combo Irons, Nike V-rev 52° & 56° (although I have ordered the vr pro forged in same lofts, something about a forged club feel better than the cast ones) & Nike Method Midnight 008 putter. Yeah I may be a Nike whore but I gotta say it’s some great equipment.
Dennis Clark
Jul 23, 2014 at 7:33 pm
That driver gets the BEST readings on my Flightscope fittings, hands down.
RobG
Jul 23, 2014 at 6:20 pm
A few years ago my golf clubs were stolen and when it came time to select a new driver I tried just about every club on the market and could not find a single one that I liked. Out of sheer desperation I relented and tried the VR Pro LTD with the bonded hosel. I hit a dozen or so balls on the range – I was sold. But just to be sure I played one round with it and it completely won me over. It is by far the best driver I have owned, and it will not be leaving my bag any time soon.
deaus
Jul 23, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Nike clubs are great for low handicaps. Especially the Irons. I have a few of the Tour Only clubs and they are truly amazing. I have a Dymo 380 and VR Tour version 5 and they are the best of the best. I agree that the hybrids are not great. Im interested in tryin the ToeSweep.
Dennis Clark
Jul 23, 2014 at 7:34 pm
Ive put 5 really good players in the toe sweep in the last few weeks. Its all about performance!
LorenRobertsFan
Jul 23, 2014 at 2:06 pm
Their irons are top notch. Still rocking my VR Split Cavities. Method putters would do better if more looked like the Midnight 006 or Rory’s putter. The hybrids are among the worst shaped from address I’ve seen.
Joe
Jul 23, 2014 at 4:46 pm
The shape of the hybrid head might not be the best but I seem to not be able to take mine out of the bag. I have the Covert Tour (1st year) and pretty much leave it set on 21* and I can’t miss with it. I was the guy who wanted long irons because I couldn’t find a hybrid that fit me. I started hitting this one and have loved it ever since. Feel a lot more comfortable attacking most par 5’s in 2 with it. I however can’t stand the red paint and I sanded that off after a few rounds. So now it’s just a solid silver head with the black face. I also use the DG 60* wedge that might get replaced with the new toe sweep. My wife plays the Nike Ltd Drive 9.5* and she absolutely loves it.
Dennis Clark
Jul 23, 2014 at 7:36 pm
I can forgive any look when the ball does what I want it, but I agree on the hybrid shape; knowing NIke Golf, that too will soon be better.