News
Keepers Of Our Game
Almost everyone knows the USGA. Not everyone knows that they do a whole lot more than maintain the rules of golf, test golf balls and golf equipment. All of the aforementioned is important to our game, but lets not forget where we have been.
After being closed for the previous three years, the USGA is about to open a completely renovated, enlarged golf museum. The former USGA Golf House will be renamed as the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History. A new center that much more clearly delineates the unique eras of golf as they transcend through history. The new museum will begin with golf in its American infancy and travel onwards to our current day, world inspired game. The old golf house will be completely unique and up to date.
Entrance to the soon to be, new and improved Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History.
The last time that I visited the USGA Golf House was back in 1997 and it was strictly as an outsider looking in. This time around, and since everything is off display, I was afforded a behind the scenes look at some golden golf history thanks to Dr. Rand Jerris. Just like us, Rand is an avid golfer, and an art history major a few times over. Rand shagged golf balls for iron byron back in the late 1980’s during a summer internship at the USGA. He is responsible for computerizing the complete USGA collection and has seen the museum staff numbers grow from only 2 people to the 10 that are there now. Rand is the USGA Museum Director, and has probably forgotten more about golf history than I can remember.
Unfortunately, time did not allow me to peruse everything stored away in the USGA’s basement, if so I’d still be there, gawking away. With so much golf history on tap, most of which has never even been on public display, it is very difficult for me to choose a starting (and ending) point for this story. It may be just the first.
Before deciding upon a renovated and expanded golf museum in Far Hills, New Jersey there was much discussion at the USGA about the possible relocation of the golf museum. The USGA toyed with such locations as New York City, Monterrey, California and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ultimately, the USGA stayed true to its roots and stayed in place. The new Golf House will be called the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History. This museum is much different and in my opinion much more important than say, the World Golf Hall of Fame in Florida. They are very different from each other and each serves vastly different purpose. You say that you have already visited the PGA World Golf Hall of Fame so why do you need to pay homage to the Palmer Center? Well, for a lot of reasons. Roots. Yes, learn where golf has been and see where it is now in the present.
The WGC used to be located in Pinehurst. With their move to Florida they became focused on their elected hall of famers, those specific professional players. There are some others, but mainly professionals and their stories and accomplishments.
The USGA is focused upon the history of golf in the United States. It is a museum that tells the great stories of our amateur champions and the USGA championships. It will continue to be a museum depicting the old history of golf from Scotland to the present evolution of golf equipment. It delineates more personal stories, from equipment to the great and storied players of our time and times past.
As you enter the new museum, which will almost double in size to over 30,000 square feet you’ll be torn between the Bobby Jones room and the Arnold Palmer room, but don’t worry you’ll have ample time for both. The giant sketch of Arnie that greets you will come alive in words and be interactive in nature. I don’t want to give it away (yet), but one of Arnie’s fans devoted 14 years of his life into making this “word drawing” come alive for us.
A few Arnold Palmer items for your viewing pleasure.
While sitting down with Rand, I asked him to choose what he believes are the three most intriguing items within the USGA’s golf collection. Although he had a very tough time choosing, his top three were:
His first choice was Francis Quimet’s original set of irons from the 1913 US Open. These were acquired from a family that had purchased them from Eddie Lowery, the young caddy who later became a millionaire. This family had the 4 irons. The USGA already had the putter. The USGA kept tabs on these clubs and when the couple reached their golden years they went to the USGA and really to all of us. There are no woods or golf bag; it is unknown where they are today. The golf clubs were actually authenticated by Eddie Lowery himself. The USGA had to wait patiently for 30 years to take possession of these historic and priceless clubs. If you enjoyed the movie or book, The Greatest Game Ever Played, you’ll surely appreciate this collection at the new museum.
Sample plaque that commemorates past USGA Champions.
The priceless, Bobby Jones’ Calamity Jane 2 putter was his second choice. Bobby Jones won 10 of 13 major events with this putter. The original Calamity Jane putter resides at Augusta National. After developing a crack in the wooden shaft, Bobby had thin black wire wrapped very tightly around the shaft in order to prevent it from cracking more. The original Calamity Jane putter was retired and the back up (#2) was put into play. Bobby soon added the signature black wire because he was so used to seeing it on the shaft as he putted. Obviously it worked, as this putter was used to win more than his fair share of golf tournaments. I was fortunate enough to hold this putter, quite possibly the most famous of all golf clubs. Certainly the most coveted of all putters, at least until Tiger Woods has long since finished playing competitive golf.
Notice the tightly wound wire on Calamity Jane No. 2. It served a purpose for Mr. Jones.
Robert Tyre Jones and Calamity Jane (#2), golf legends. 10 majors, enough said.
Lastly, Rand had a tie for third place. The first, which is quite compelling, is Jim Chase’s unique portrait of Arnold Palmer. Artist Jim Chase spent 14 years drawing microscopic letters, using words to create and shape the final portrait. Jim gave one of just five copies to Arnold and Arnold graciously gave it to the USGA. The drawing, or lettering if you will, carries deep meaning. It contains a total of 22,719 words. Get really close and you’ll see them, from a few feet away it looks like a masterful inked sketch. It will be the centerpiece in the Palmer room and it will become an interactive experience where you can zoom in on a quote or series of words to see why the artist chose them in his design. Of course, you know Tiger Woods made Rand’s picks as well. For historical significance, he choose a Titleist wedge that Tiger Woods used to assist him with decimating the field and setting a US Open scoring record when he won the US Open at Pebble Beach.
The future centerpiece of the Arnold Palmer Room courtesy of artist Jim Chase and Arnie.
It sure doesn’t look like much now, but this room will be the "world golf era " space in the new museum.
All very interesting choices by Mr. Jerris, but I’d have to insert that 6 iron that made it to the moon as well making a three way tie. These are just a very select few golf items of historical significance that live on at the USGA for all of us.
The new and improved USGA Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History will open in late May with an Arnold Palmer attended Grand Opening celebration in early June. I know that if I am in the New Jersey area, I’ll be there.
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
News
Morning 9: Tiger confirms playing schedule | Player: This caused Tiger’s downfall
|
- LIKE1
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
- LIKE10
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
News
Vincenzi’s 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson betting preview: International talent to shine
As anticipation mounts for the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla in a few weeks, the PGA Tour makes a pit stop in McKinney, Texas to play The CJ CUP Byron Nelson.
Last year was the third time TPC Craig Ranch hosted the Byron Nelson. Prior to 2021, the event was held at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas.
TPC Craig Ranch is a 7,414-yard par-71 that features Bentgrass greens. The event historically plays relatively easy, and that has remained the case in the three editions at TPC Craig Ranch.
The course structure may provide some additional intrigue with the par-3 17th featuring a stadium setup called “Ranch 17” which is reminiscent of the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. The course also has both long and difficult par-4s mixed with drivable par-4s, which should create some exciting moments.
There are 156 golfers in the field this week, and many stars will be taking the week off to prepare for 2023’s second major championship in a few weeks and a “signature event” at Quail Hollow next week. Notable players in the field include Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Sungjae Im, Stephan Jaeger, Tom Kim, Si Woo Kim, Min Woo Lee, Alex Noren, Adam Scott and Will Zalatoris.
Past Winners of the AT&T Byron Nelson
- 2023: Jason Day (-23 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2022: K.H. Lee (-26 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2021: K.H. Lee (-25 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2019: Sung Kang (-23)
- 2018: Aaron Wise (-23)
- 2017: Billy Horschel (-12)
- 2016: Sergio Garcia (-15)
- 2015: Steven Bowditch (-18)
Key Stats at TPC Craig Ranch
Let’s take a look at five key metrics for TPC Craig Ranch to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds.
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes Gained: Approach remains the best measure of current form.
Hot iron play will be at a premium this week. Last year, Jason Day gained 6.4 strokes on approach, which was fourth in the field. In 2022, K.H. Lee was ninth in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, gaining 5.2 strokes. In his 2021 victory, he was second in the field and gained 8.3 strokes on the field in the category.
Strokes Gaines: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Tom Hoge (+1.12)
- Keith Mitchell (+1.02)
- Henrik Norlander (+0.99)
- Ryan Moore (+0.98)
- Ben Martin (0.80)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Fairways are wide at TPC Craig Ranch.
Distance will certainly be helpful, and there aren’t too many difficult holes on the course. Golfers who put themselves in position off of the tee this week should have a sizable advantage.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Over Past 24 Rounds
- Peter Kuest (+0.93)
- Kevin Daugherty (+0.91)
- Alejandro Tosti (+0.83)
- Keith Mitchell (+0.82)
- Kevin Tway (+0.74)
Birdie or Better %
There aren’t many hazards on the course, and all of the par-5s should be reachable in two for the majority of the players in the field. I am anticipating a birdie fest, and this statistic should be helpful in finding the birdie-makers.
Birdie or Better % Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Wesley Bryan (31%)
- Kelly Kraft (26.2%)
- Peter Kuest (25.9%)
- Matti Schmid (25.7%
- Jimmy Stanger (25.2%)
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass)
Many golfers on TOUR have some major putting surface variance in their statistics and prefer Bentgrass to other surfaces.
Bentgrass is common in Texas, and we often see golfers who play well in Texas continue to do so, finding a great feel around the greens.
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass) Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Maverick McNealy (+0.92)
- Aaron Baddeley (+0.87)
- Callum Tarren (+0.86)
- Harry Hall (+0.81)
- Nick Hardy (+0.69)
Course History
This statistic will tell us which players have performed the best at TPC Craig Ranch over the past three seasons.
Course History Over Past 12 Rounds:
- Jordan Spieth (+2.69)
- K.H. Lee (+2.59)
- Seamus Power (+1.84)
- Ryan Palmer (+1.76)
- Adam Scott (+1.72)
CJ CUP Byron Nelson Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), SG: OTT (24%), Birdie or Better % (18%), Course History (17%) and SG: Putting Bentgrass (16%).
- Alex Noren
- Adam Scott
- Keith Mitchell
- Si Woo Kim
- Stephen Jaeger
- Jordan Spieth
- Jhonnatan Vegas
- Nate Lashley
- Brice Garnett
- Tom Hoge
2024 CJ CUP Byron Nelson Picks
Byeong Hun An +3000 (DraftKings)
Byeong Hun put together an excellent performance at The Masters, finishing T16, which ties his best ever finish at a major championship (also T16 at 2019 U.S. Open). The South Korean gained 9.16 strokes from tee to green, which ranked 2nd in the field behind only the champion, Scottie Scheffler.
An’s next start at Harbour Town didn’t go as well (67th), but he still had a fantastic ball striking week. The 32-year-old bled strokes both around and on the greens, which was his eventual undoing. In his past three starts, An has gained significant strokes on the field both off the tee and on approach.
Benny had a strong start at last year’s Byron Nelson, finishing in a tie for 14th. With limited challenges on the course, he shouldn’t have to do much scrambling. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 17th in the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 17th in the field in birdie or better percentage. The putter is up and down per usual, but his ceiling putting weeks with his LAB Golf putter in 2024 are higher than they’ve been in past seasons.
An is starting to become my “white whale” of the PGA Tour, but I believe in his talent and TPC Craig Ranch is a course that should suit his excellent tee to green play.
Mackenzie Hughes +5500 (FanDuel)
Mackenzie Hughes is quietly putting together a very good season. He finished in a tie for 3rd at the Valspar Championship and followed that up with a T14 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
In his past 36 rounds in Texas, the Canadian ranks 5th in the field in Strokes Gained: Total. Last year, he finished in a tie for 14th at this event and gained strokes putting and off the tee. Mackenzie played well that week despite being in extremely poor form. He missed two cuts in a row prior to the event, and four consecutive cuts immediately after. His irons were off that week, but in 2024, we’ve seen an improvement in Hughes’ approach game. He now comes to the event playing some steady golf. He’s gained strokes on approach in four of his past five events and is hitting the ball very well from tee to green.
Hughes has two victories on the PGA Tour, both coming in relatively low-scoring affairs (-17 in each). He will need to go a bit deeper to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson but has the type of putter that can keep pace in a birdie barrage.
Seamus Power +7000 (FanDuel)
After struggling over the past few seasons with injuries, Seamus Power seems as if he is rounding back into the form that made him a really consistent player on the PGA Tour.
Power finished T12 in his most recent start at the RBC Heritage, which is encouraging considering it was a “signature event” with a very strong field. For the week, the Irishman gained 4.4 strokes on approach and 2.8 strokes putting, which is the combination he’s used in the past to contend on Tour.
In his three trips to TPC Craig Ranch, Power is yet to finish outside of the top-20, with his best finish being a T9 in 2019. He ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course. The 37-year-old thrives on easy tracks and has won in 2021 (Barbasol Championship) and 2022 (Butterfield Bermuda) on easier layouts with weaker fields.
Power has the game to go extremely low and I believe he can get back in the winner’s circle for the third time in four years.
Chan Kim +10000 (FanDuel)
Chan Kim has been striking the ball beautifully this season and is a proven winner with two wins on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023 as well as eight career Japan Tour wins.
At last week’s Zurich Classic, Kim and his partner Doug Ghim finished in a tie for 28th. Prior to that, the South Korean T14 at the Valero Texas Open and T6 at the Corales Puntacana Championship. His success this season in Texas as well as he propensity to play his best golf on the PGA Tour’s easier courses make him and ideal fit for TPC Craig Ranch.
2024 has given plenty of longshot winners on the PGA Tour, and with a birdie fest like this, I believe there’s a strong chance we get another this week in McKinney, Texas.
Alejandro Tosti +10000 (FanDuel)
Alejandro Tosti is one of the most polarizing players on the PGA Tour thus far in the 2024 season. His antics can rub many the wrong way, but he’s shown on a few occasions that he has what it takes to compete in Tour events.
This season, Tosti has been elite off the tee. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. The Argentine hits it long and straight, which works at any course on earth. He got a taste of contention a few starts ago at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, finishing in a tie for 2nd place.
Tosti had a fantastic year in 2023 on the Korn Ferry Tour, where going low is a prerequisite to success. If this turns to a shootout, which it likely will, the 27-year-old has the ability to set the pace. Tosti will look to become the second Argentine to win in Texas in the past two seasons after Emiliano Grillo emerged victorious at last year’s Charles Schwab Challenge.
C.T. Pan +15000 (FanDuel)
Outside of a T3 at the Mexico Open, C.T. Pan doesn’t have strong results this season in terms of finishes. However, over his past two starts, Pan’s iron play has come alive. At The Players, he gained 6.6 strokes on approach. At the Valero Texas Open, he gained 3.7. At last week’s Zurich Classic, Pan and his partner Kevin Yu finished T28. For a player who can get extremely hot with his scoring clubs, I believe he’s playing better than the results have shown over the past month or so.
Last season, Pan finished 4th at TPC Craig Ranch and was spectacular across all the major stat categories. In his past 36 qualifying rounds, he ranks 16th in Strokes Gained: Total in Texas.
Pan has won on the PGA Tour at the RBC Heritage and is always a player that I believe has what it takes to win on a Sunday if he finds himself in contention.
- LIKE16
- LEGIT10
- WOW3
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP3
- OB0
- SHANK4
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
-
19th Hole1 week ago
LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
Equipment3 weeks ago
Jason Day on his recent switch into Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 Mk II irons
-
19th Hole4 days ago
Gary Player claims this is what ‘completely ruined’ Tiger Woods’ career
johnnypro
Jan 28, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Thanks for the great article. I’ll be paying a visit as soon as possible. Despite severe bashing from several quarters, I’ve always been a big supporter of the USGA. It’s a body made up of human beings and, as such, prone to mistakes, errors in judgment, even greed on occasion. But I feel strongly that, overall, they do a fantastic job. All I know is that without the enthusiastic support of several people in the USGA hierarchy, the Open would never have come to Bethpage – still the hardest course I’ve ever played, tee-to-green. Even before 2002, however, the US Open was always my favorite major. The deep rough, the narrow fairways, the slick greens, the constant complaints – that’s what the Open is all about. Watching some of those prima donnas on tour make fools of themselves one week out of the year is great fun.
Ray
Jan 28, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I have a fun little golf history shadowbox in my office. this looks like it’ll be pretty cool!
I learned a little golf history about the golf tee recently. people used to use piles of sand to tee off, and a bunch of people invented metal spikes and other stuff to make it easy. The wooden tee has been around for 75 or so years. That some old technology!
I found something new for tees. The pro spring tee is pretty cool. it has a spring inside and so it bends over everytime you hit the ball. Its supposed to last 18 round of golf. I havent had mine that long and its still goin!
ray