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Wie: Why?

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16 years ago

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I’m scratching my head so much over Michelle Wie that the neighbors have complained about the smoke.

Speaking of smoke — we’re all overcome by Michelle’s second-hand smoke, as she inhales and exhales the smoldering fumes swirling in the heat of her own personal spotlight. And we find it difficult to tear ourselves away from the mesmerizing reality show of her repeated George Plimpton-like feats of futility. I mean, how many times do you beat your head against the wall before the wall wins…unless you find pleasure in beating your head against the wall?

I just had a thought: Why hasn’t a male golfer asserted his machismo and played an LPGA event in an effort to wreak havoc on his way to a huge (and certainly inevitable) win? I’ll tell you why: because he wouldn’t want to end up shopping at Fred Funk’s Skirt Emporium. Oh yes, the hapless male pro who took on the LPGA would lose. Lorena would kick his butt and the Pink Panther would eat him for lunch. And, despite what he would say, he’d be humiliated. So why isn’t Michelle humiliated by her frequent smackdowns at the hands of the PGA?

Frankly, I’m puzzled. Her illogical, odd, and fantastic choices have me guessing wildly, as you’ve no-doubt guessed yourself. But down what other path am I to traverse? Please, send me a logical thread I’ve missed and I’ll knit a new reality…but until then, I’m wearing what I’m given. This sweater has holes.

I’m no Freud, but I think she must be either (a) an obsessive attention-addict, or (b) intensely phobic about losing to her peers. No, I don’t think that’s an extreme thing to say. I know that many people forgive her and make excuses for her, as if she was unaware of her own mind or existence. I don’t buy in to painting her as a victim, either at the hands of her managers or the scoring tent personnel, who were unwitting conspirators in her latest effort to avoid defeat. It appears that she’s so afraid of failure and of not living up to expectations of perfection on the LPGA that she’s made a career out of avoiding defeat by attempting the impossible on the PGA Tour, where it is impossible for her to truly lose…and win. You have to compete and strive to win in order to lose. She’s shown no evidence recently that she is interested in doing that.

I’ll just bet that someone must have said to her at one vulnerable moment: "You’re a great player, Michelle…for a woman, of course." And now the poor talented young woman is held captive by her psyche, oblivious that she’s wrapped up in a Stockholm Syndrome scenario with her own ego.

Perhaps she golf’s version of the Peter Principle, only instead of slowly rising to her level of incompetence, she has willingly begun there.

Whatever it is, to me it smacks of a fear of competition and of losing. There’s one way to tell. Turn over one of her golf shoes. What do you see stuck to the spikes? Loose turf, or lost nerves?

I think she has become one of the most disturbing disappointments in the history of golf. (a) Because of her myriad golfing failures, and (b) because of the incredible wealth she has accumulated because of her enigmatic choices.

There’s still hope, though, because there is still time, according to her age. But bad habits—of body and mind—can shroud a lifetime. Hopefully, she can be rehabilitated.

What’s your diagnosis? My prognosis is that she’ll fully wake up when it is almost too late. Unless, of course, winning on the LPGA is not her life’s goal.  If not, return to the beginning of this article. 

 

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Tim Schoch got hooked on golf by his uncle, a golf course superintendent, who gave him a set of hickory sticks he'd dredged from the bottom of the course's lake. $2000 loan online. Tim would later caddy for the private nine-holer, waiting with the other boys in the stifling caddy shack until one of the portly hacker members grunted in his direction then heaped two bags of clubs and three hours of verbal abuse on his shoulders, all for $5 per bag and a quarter tip. Tim loved it. Tim is a writer, editor, humorist, copywriter and marketing professional, and author of 10 novels and dozens of magazine stories. He occasionally blogs about golf at www.golferblogger.com and creative writing on the blog found at www.TimWriter.com. He wrote for GolfWRX eight years ago, and is happy to be back. Tim's been on eBay since 1998. Currently, Tim and his wife run two eBay shops: www.doubleTvintage.com and www.DejaGolf.com.

23 Comments

23 Comments

  1. jas

    Aug 11, 2008 at 11:11 pm

    She always thought she was better than her peers and other females on the LPGA. She isn’t and never has been. It’s amazing there are still people out there who believe she is on her way to greatness against men and women.

    Reply Report comment

  2. body electric

    Aug 6, 2008 at 8:55 am

    I feel that her parents understand her situation and are banking on the more cash scenarios right now. If you think about it Wie is hot when she plays poorly or does crazy stuff. The media will eat up anything she does and that’s what making her pockets fat. Think about it would you want to be yesterday’s news or headline news all the time?

    Reply Report comment

  3. Nash Carr

    Aug 5, 2008 at 11:19 pm

    Wie has never truly WON A TON at any level, her perception of herself is that she is too good, when in fact, she is mediocre at best, even against her peers!

    Shame on the mens tour for allowing her more than her quota of exemptions, which should have ended aft her 1st Sony Open.

    Even John Daly would be a better draw for tickets, he misses the cut just like MIchelle, but sell more tix Thur/Fri!

    Reply Report comment

  4. Golferman

    Aug 5, 2008 at 2:46 pm

    Michelle Wie is possibly down to her last attempts at making the “Cut” at a PGA event, but more importantly she is down to her last shread of dignity. Even if she does make a “Cut” who will really care if it is her 9th, 10th, or 20th attempt at trying to do so? I certainly won’t!

    The only way this could get worse = Michelle regularly hangs out with Brittney Spears and Lindsay Lohan!

    Reply Report comment

  5. Tim Schoch

    Aug 5, 2008 at 1:31 pm

    8, that’s great stuff!

    You should submit articles here, perhaps under the title The Golf Oracle, or Golfstrodamus, about where we are headed with this nutty game and its preposterous players. I just love it when an announcer will call White-Bread Phil a “swashbuckler” or Adam Scott “wily,” or John Daly an “Everyman.” (Is Everyman really a low-brow, schmaltz-slinging alcoholic denied by everyone?) But Wie and Limbaugh? LOL! Why not! I’m not so sure she’s not being more ridiculous right now! Think about it, 8.
    Tim

    Reply Report comment

  6. 8thehardway

    Aug 5, 2008 at 11:47 am

    Yogi once observed, ‘The future ain’t what it used to be.’ Unfortunately, neither is Michelle.

    Divorce becomes a matter of course as Michelle starts marrying the only guys she’s ever around – male golfers. Michelle met Ian back in July 2006; she was playing well in the Evian Masters, one of only three confirmed sightings of her at an LPGA event; Ian Woosnam was also playing well at the Deutsche Bank tournament in Germany, one of only two confirmed sightings of his name on a leader board during this century. They emailed congratulations to each other, met and married four years later… too quickly, it turned out. Ian divorces Michelle because her married name – Wie-Woosnam – causes 5-foot, four inch Ian too much grief at the pub. Michelle is inconsolable but her parents are ecstatic, having always said that 6-foot Michelle had married beneath her.

    Her social climbing parents insist Michelle marry David Duval for his name. Michelle Duval-Wie sounds so… so… French, like Maurice Chevalier. Dave divorces Michelle after his nickname “the double Ds” becomes a double entendre and fans hold a You-Tube contest for creative inflections.

    Husband number three leaves after his kiddy comedy comeback show is threatened by potty-mouthed seven year olds yelling Wee Wie-Herman during commercial breaks.

    Devastated, Michelle turns to politics. She runs for Governor of Hawaii and her first speech “Wie, the people…” infatuates Rush Limbaugh who marries her in a fit of rhetorical frenzy… “In order to form a more perfect union,” as he says in his wedding vows. They divorce two weeks later while honeymooning in Africa after LimbaughWie is elected President of Zimbabwe on a write-in vote. “But they’re Bush-men,” weeped a disconsolate Michelle. “You’re thinking of the Kalahari,” replied an exasperated Rush. “That’s what you get for cutting geography class and sneaking out to play golf.”

    Reply Report comment

  7. JP

    Aug 4, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    There are so many things that are disturbing about Wie not the least of which is that she continues to “attempt” to play with the men. I have no problem with a woman playing PGA events, IF she has proven herselp a consistant and dominating winner on the LPGA tour. Two come to mind…Annika and Lorena. They have proven that they can win and no doubt would be at least somewhat competitive on the PGA tour. Wie on the other hand has not proven her ability to beat her peers let alone compete in the PGA arena, and when is Nike going to reign her in and stop giving her sponsors exemptions to events that she is enevitably going to fail at. Nike has to realize that their investment is going to eventually be synonymous with failure and make them look stupid for throwing so much money at failure. I mean she plays the second hand events any way and she still stinks it up. All the grade A PGA players were at bridgestone and she couldnt even make a showing at reno. I just don’t get it. Why?

    Reply Report comment

  8. Tim Schoch

    Aug 4, 2008 at 7:59 pm

    Don’t disagree, J, but there’s more here than just what we think. It’s what she says and does. When someone heads down a given path, we can rightly assume it is by choice, and it’s only natural to speculate where it might end up. No one is saying her career is over–but she is headed down the wrong path, IMO. Also, I’m getting a strong feeling of deja vu, as if all of this has happened before. Hmmm, did we forget those lessons…or did she?

    Reply Report comment

  9. J Foote

    Aug 4, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    I do agree with many here that these attempts at making a cut on the PGA are rediculous. But to say that her career is over is a bit short sighted. She’s only 18 years old. Look at somebody like VJ, he didn’t become a genuine superstar until his 40’s. I think we were all expecting her to do something Tiger like very early on. Yes she’s becoming a side show, yes she’s being mismanaged but she has so many years left in her career. It’s barely started and we’re saying it’s over.

    I agree with Pat Kozacik, the best thing for her would be to spend time with a proven champion. Get her head straight and soak up all their experience.

    Reply Report comment

  10. E Schuster

    Aug 3, 2008 at 10:42 pm

    I really believe she played this week because she had no where else to play. Has no status on any Tour at all, didn’t want to go to the British Open because she’d have to qualify first. The kid might also have some contractual mumbo jumbo in that big contract with Nike that gives her a bonus for just playing two days then vacationing for two days. I almost feel bad for her, notice I said almost, as she’s achieving the freak show status I forsaw three or four years ago. Say what you will, the girl has immense talent. She just needs to play somewhere on a regular basis. Suggestion to the Wies’ back up and start over. Head for the Futures tour. Play regularly. Learn to kick butt. Get Tour card. Play regularly there. Learn to kick butt. Enough already with this half a**ed career plan.

    Reply Report comment

  11. Francois

    Aug 3, 2008 at 7:56 pm

    It’s a free world. If Michelle wants to go for the big purse, she should be able to without the criticism she is getting. Questions are: Who is she doing this for? What is this doing for her confidence? Is she helping or hindering the LPGA by playing and failing on the PGA tour? Maybe she needs to take a break and think this over.

    FR

    Reply Report comment

  12. bsd

    Aug 3, 2008 at 6:22 pm

    She needs to get away from her dad and start taking advice from someone who knows what they are doing. She might make money in the short term making appearances at men’s tournaments, but if she doesn’t start winning soon it’s over. She needs to learn how to win on the LPGA first.

    Reply Report comment

  13. Tim Schoch

    Aug 3, 2008 at 5:45 pm

    It is amazing, isn’t it? She seems so confident and matter-of-fact … no, I take that back. She seems passionless about her choices. Well, it will be interesting to see if she ever dents the LPGA. I hope she tries, at least as hard as golf-bunny Gulbis has. Gulbis is not as talented as Wie, but Gulbis has the fire, the work ethic, and love for the LPGA. Guts can lead to glory. You can’t coast on potential.

    Reply Report comment

  14. Big J

    Aug 3, 2008 at 2:09 pm

    Still amazed that this charade continues, and I’m sure I’ll be even more amazed the next time she accepts a PGA Tour sponsor’s invite.

    Reply Report comment

  15. Michael

    Aug 3, 2008 at 1:08 am

    Playing at a too high level too early is not good for your self confidence. You have to succeed at lower levels first. This is obviously all about money and mismanagement.
    She is gone, mentally I am afraid.

    Reply Report comment

  16. Pat Kozacik

    Aug 3, 2008 at 1:04 am

    I see no reason what so ever for Michelle Wie to play on the PGA Tour. She has not won a single women’s event let alone getting anywhere near the top of the pyramid of ladies golf. Annika deserved a shot to play a PGA event, she had reached the peak of women’s golf. Wie has not enjoyed the level of success that Annika Sorenstam has and may never get to. Michelle Wie’s handlers have decided that becoming a spectacle is better for her career than following the tried and true path of playing against the right competition.

    Reply Report comment

  17. guy travell

    Aug 2, 2008 at 9:25 am

    True athletes likes to challenge themselves. She was given the opportunity and took it. Perhaps Michelle thought that playing with guys will make her game better. who knows. I’d jump at the chance to play any sports with someone better than me.

    Everyone needs to give her a break, shes only 18 and golf is a lifetime sport. It did’nt help the way she was dis-qualified by LPGA in her last tournament. To wait until she played her full Saturday round before announcing that she is being disqualified, can be easily misconstrued as using her to boost ticket sales and attendance. Especially since the scorecard thing happened on Friday. There has never been such an ugly disqualification in the history of golf. Maybe she needed some time away from the LPGA.

    One thing I know for sure, she does not deserve the venemous criticism shes getting from seemingly everybody….. here and every where else.

    Reply Report comment

  18. bobsuruncle

    Aug 2, 2008 at 9:09 am

    Because she’s become a side show, I’ve almost given up making any comments about her God-given talents being laid to waste, of wanton parental guidance, of a spoilt, immature and unfocused teenager, etc.

    Now that financial security is not an issue for her or her family, she should focus on building a winning legacy that she and her (future) children and grandchildren can be proud of.

    I wish you good luck, young lady.

    Reply Report comment

  19. Anders

    Aug 1, 2008 at 1:15 pm

    Streuth! Just watching the cream of the crop women golfers at the British Open this week. Even the majority of them would struggle on the mens tour so why the hell is Michelle Why(?) I mean Wie not playing?!!! More Bizarre decisions

    Reply Report comment

  20. 8thehardway

    Aug 1, 2008 at 7:43 am

    There’s no psychological definition for loser, but there are plenty for parents who guide their offspring into actions ill suited to a positive self-image. If your child brings you wealth and fame, it’s very tempting to keep the gravy train on the same track it’s been traveling by toot-tooting the familiar childhood mantra of the Little Engine That Could. Fawning agents and convincing parents on the one hand, on the other a youngster continually trying to please by attempting a contrived and overblown feat… making the cut at a men’s tournament.

    It’s great that Michelle can beat a lot of men but so can a successful dominatrix, for whom making ‘a cut’ is nothing unusual. Maybe Michelle should… but I digress. What’s the big deal about being better than exactly half the men? Any woman will tell you that’s nothing to crow about and when she becomes a woman maybe Michelle will agree.

    Reply Report comment

  21. Chris B.

    Jul 31, 2008 at 11:01 pm

    What part of LPGA doesn’t she understand? Ladies Professional Golfers Association. And far as why men don’t play or tried to play the LPGA, The PGA is for men, maybe we need to add a M in front of it so people get it. And as far as Wie being a great golfer, Gimmie a break!!!!!!!!!!!! Great men and women professional golfers have majors on the record. What has she done? Her amateur record is not good either, she never won any
    “major” events. She is page 9 news, stop beating a dead horse.

    Reply Report comment

  22. Tim Schoch

    Jul 31, 2008 at 9:31 pm

    Absolutely agree. Right now, her parents are her managers. No offense Mom and Dad, but Michelle is too good a golfer to be only a sideshow exhibition.

    Reply Report comment

  23. Ian Tessier

    Jul 31, 2008 at 8:07 pm

    She’s in great need of personal and professional management. It would be a terrible shame to let that raw talent go to waste. Stop rushing her, start training her. A year with Dottie Pepper or Anika would be extremely worthwhile.

    Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans

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2 days ago

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Apr 23, 2024

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

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

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

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

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

 

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

Published

2 days ago

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Apr 23, 2024

By
By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

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

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

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

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

2. Understandably, Nelly WDs

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

  • “A day after capturing the Chevron Championship during a marathon final round in Houston, Korda announced on social media that she was withdrawing from this week’s JM Eagle LA Championship.”
  • “It was not an easy decision,” she wrote. “After the unbelievable week at the Chevron and grinding through the mental and physical challenges of four events in the past five weeks, I am definitely feeling exhausted. With so much still to come throughout 2024, I feel I need to listen to my body and get some rest, so I can be ready for the remainder of the season.”
Full piece.

3. Scheffler’s impressive No. 1 feat

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

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

4. Zurich field notes

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

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

5. Tiger’s teammates

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

  • “The virtual golf league headed by Woods and Rory McIlroy will begin its inaugural season next January. Woods also unveiled the team’s logo.”
  • “I have already shared my excitement and optimism for TGL as a league and product,” said Woods. “Now that we have finalized our roster with a team of world-class golfers, I am even more confident that this group will proudly represent the Jupiter (Fla.) area and connect with our fans for years to come.”
Full piece.

6. Woosnam questions Cantlay’s decision

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

  • “On the other hand, if he could finish the hole, he may just want to get the event over with so he could get out of Hilton Head.”
  • “Curiously, Cantlay chose neither of those options. After hitting 3-wood into the green, and still coming up short, the former FedEx Cup champion chose to mark his ball and chip and putt on Monday morning.”
  • “Ian Woosnam, who was watching from home, took to X to give his thoughts on Cantlay’s decision making.”
  • “Cantlay would end up getting up and down for par when play resumed at 8:00 am Monday morning.”
Full piece.

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

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

  • “While Thomas was watching Scottie Scheffler play on the back nine of his third round, he wondered aloud why Scottie uses high-numbered golf balls.”
  • “Does anybody else think it’s weird that Scottie uses high numbers? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an elite player use high-numbered golf balls.”
  • “Amanda Balionis who was on the grounds chimed in, reporting that analyst Dottie Pepper had wondered the same thing earlier that day.”
  • “I’ve been going about this wrong my whole life,” Thomas jokingly said.
Full piece.

8. Rory to rejoin PGA Tour policy board

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

  • “One of the PGA Tour’s most vocal supporters during its three-year battle with LIV Golf, McIlroy abruptly resigned as a player director on the tour’s influential policy board in November.”
  • “He is expected to replace policy board player director Webb Simpson, who intends to step away before his two-year term expires in 2025.”
Full piece.

9. Weir names Presidents Cup assistants

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

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3 days ago

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Apr 22, 2024

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

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

LPGA @ Chevron Championship: Korda corrals second major title

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

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

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

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

PGA Tour 1 @ RBC: Scottie, so hottie!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PGA Tour Champions @ Invited Celebrity: Broadhurst stands tall

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

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

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

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