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Tour Rundown: DJ, Drewitt, and more
Feel like you’re watching a movie with a convoluted plot structure? That’s 2020—and yesterday was Labor Day. The U.S. Open takes place in two weeks, and the Tour Championship concluded…yesterday. The Mackenzie Tour (PGA Tour Canada) finishes an abbreviated, four-tournament schedule next week, one month after it began. The Korn Ferry Tour Championship took place last week, yet there are five events scheduled after it. The only way to cap this season would be to play the Old Course at St. Andrews in reverse. Actually, that would cap any season. Haven’t seen the clockwise routing in years.
This week’s Tour Rundown brings names like Pistorius, Catlin, and Drewitt to the headlines, and wonders aloud, can Dustin Johnson dominate the playoffs? With more golf to be played this fall, culminating in a November Masters in Augusta, we’ve much to anticipate this week and beyond, so let’s run it all down.
Tour Championship and FedEx Cup title to Mr. DJ
It’s implausible that Dustin Johnson continue to receive the Rodney Dangerfield treatment of No Respect after the 2020 golf season. He has won at least once in every full season since he turned professional, in late 2007. The Palmetto Powerhouse has 23 victories and a U.S. Open title to his name. Johnson is now one behind Gary Player and two back of Johnny Miller. This week, DJ added another laurel to his list of achievements, by nabbing the FedEx title that Rory McIlroy stole from him, this time last year.
Johnson began championship week as the number one seed, a position that saw him begin at 10-under par. Behind him was Jon Rahm at minus-nine. The Spaniard had a rotten day two, and try as he might, could only return to 4th spot, after 66s in rounds three and four. Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele tied for second behind the tall timber, with Schauffele posting the best four-round score of the week (265.) Johnson played the type of controlled golf that wins big events. His play this week makes him one of the favorites at both Winged Foot and Augusta National, sites of the year’s final two major events. Johnson is easily deserving of multiple major titles but, as Greg Norman and others might say, deserving and possessing are two different species.
Lincoln Land Championship to Drewitt by one
Brett Drewitt might be cautiously thrilled that the Korn Ferry Tour will play beyond the Tour Championship this season. The Aussie has embodied the moniker of journeyman since he turned professional some seven years back. He has seen the locker rooms of the world’s major tours, and been promoted and demoted with regularity. This week, he took a step in the proper direction by holding off three golfers by a single stroke, to claim the Lincoln Land Championship.
Charlie Saxon began the week with a 61, and held his lead through 54 holes. A closing 73 dropped him to a tie for 7th spot. Anders Albertson emulated Saxon in round two, signing for a 62. He entered the final round in 2nd place, but also wilted on day four. His 71 caused him to soar from 2nd to 5th position. The top four finishers all made a move of at least one place, with Drewitt moving from 3rd slot overnight. The closing holes were a challenge for all, and England’s Harry Hall came to the last in a tie with Drewitt. He made bogey there, to tumble into a tie for the runner-up spot. Joining him on the podium’s second level were two USA golfers, Ben Kohles and Austin Treslow. The tour continues on to the Evans Scholars Invitational, near Chicago, next week.
Andalucia Masters: Catlin claims first Euro title
2020 represents the highs and lows of golf for John Catlin. In August, he and his caddie were defaulted from the English Championship after they patronized a local restaurant. They had violated the European Tour’s Covid-19 Bubble protocol. Four weeks later, Catlin found himself atop the Andalucia Masters leader board through 54 holes, tasked with holding off Martin Kaymer if he wished to secure an inaugural, European Tour win. Piece of quarantined cake, right?
Kaymer is familiar with pressure. He has won two major titles and played on numerous international squads. Catlin boasts neither of those credentials. They and the rest of the field met a compounded task: Valderrama at its toughest. The site of the 1997 Ryder Cup gave golfers fits all week. Until Lee Westwood (out of contention) posted 67 in round four, no one had gone lower than minus-three all week long. That 67, by the way, lifted Lee 51 spots into a tenth-place tie.
Sunday revealed itself to be a battle of the bogies. Catlin made 4 of them, to go with his 14 pars. Incredibly, he won. Challengers Lorenzo Gagli and Jamie Donaldson posted 78s, and dropped into Westwood territory. Kaymer was a game opponent all day long, until he stumbled with three bogies over the final six holes. His five at the last was the gut-wrenching nail in the coffin. Catlin was able to par the closing quartet of holes, a stretch that moved him from one behind to one in front, of the great German champion. The European Tour plays on next week, moving westward to Portugal for that country’s Open championship.
CLS at TPC Toronto to Pistorius by one
Albert Pistorius must be thrilled that the Canada Life Series will close the tour season with its championship … on precisely the same course where the South African held off three challengers to win his first event of the ever-so-short season. Pistorius snagged the lead on Saturday with a seven-under par 64, then threatened to run away with the TPC Toronto event by making eagle-par-birdie to open up a commanding lead at ten under par. Just like that, the magic went partly away, and Pistorius struggle with four bogeys the rest of the way. A pair of back-nine birdies allowed him to return minus-eight. His 205 through 54 holes was enough to hold off Andrew Funk and Callum Davison of the host country. As suggested above, the Canada Life Series will end its run this week, as it again challenges the field with the Osprey course at TPC Toronto, in suburban Caledon.
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Scottie Scheffler arrested, charged, and released after traffic incident at Valhalla
As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police on the way to Valhalla Golf Club this morning due to a traffic misunderstanding.
“Breaking News: World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police in handcuffs after a misunderstanding with traffic flow led to his attempt to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club. The police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler’s car, and Scheffler then stopped his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla. The police officer then began to scream at Scheffler to get out of the car.
“When Scheffler exited the vehicle, the officer shoved Scheffler against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. He is now being detained in the back of a police car.”
Darlington also posted a video of the dramatic moment which you can view below:
Here is video that I took of Scheffler being arrested: https://t.co/8UPZKvPCCf pic.twitter.com/9Tbp2tyrJh
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024
There was an unrelated accident at around 5am, which is what may have caused some of the misunderstanding of which traffic was moving.
Speaking on ESPN, Darlington broke down exactly what he witnessed in full detail:
“Entering Valhalla Golf Club this morning, we witness a car pull around us that was Scottie Scheffler. Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police officers, placed in the back of a police vehicle in handcuffs after he tried to pull around what he believed to be security, ended up being police officers.
“They told him to stop, when he didn’t stop, the police officer attached himself to the vehicle, and Scheffler then travelled another 10 yards before stopping the car.”
“The police officer then grabbed at his arm, attempting to pull him out of the car, before Scheffler eventually opened the door, at which point the police officer pulled Scheffler out of the car, pushed him up against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back in handcuffs.
“Very stunned about what was happening, he looked towards me as he was in those handcuffs and said ‘please help me’. He very clearly didn’t know what was happening in the situation.”
“It moved very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively. He was detained in that police vehicle for approximately 20 minutes. The police officers at that point did not understand that Scottie Scheffler was a golfer in the tournament, nor of course that he is the number one player in the world.”
Full details on Scottie Scheffler’s arrest, excellent reporting by @JeffDarlington.
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) May 17, 2024
Due to the accident, play has been delayed this morning. Scheffler’s current tee time for the second round of the PGA Championship is 10:08 a.m.
Scheffler’s mugshot following the incident:
Scottie Scheffler’s mugshot from Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections. pic.twitter.com/bcJn54Nu5x
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) May 17, 2024
*Update*
Scheffler has been charged with 2nd Degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief 3rd degree, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.
Scottie Scheffler charges
– 2nd Degree assault of Police officer
– Criminal Mischief 3rd degree
– Reckless driving
– Disregard signals from officer directing traffic pic.twitter.com/bX8mFF2Xay— sam stone (@sam_rock_stone) May 17, 2024
*Update*
According to ESPN+, Scottie Scheffler has been released and is now on his way to the golf course.
*Update*
Scottie Scheffler arrives at Valhalla ahead of his 10:08 a.m second round tee time.
After being detained by police earlier this morning, Scottie Scheffler was released and is back at Valhalla Golf Club for his second round of the PGA Championship. pic.twitter.com/KvS5Hwo6PS
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 17, 2024
*Update*
The PGA of America released this statement regarding the fatal accident, which diverted traffic at Valhalla this morning.
“This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”
Per the PGA Tour, Scheffler released the following statement.
Scottie Scheffler’s statement prior to Round 2 @PGAChampionship. pic.twitter.com/x26RFOqCIa
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 17, 2024
We will update this developing story as more information on the situation is revealed.
More from the 19th Hole
- Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game “on a much more global basis”
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
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Five Things We Learned: Thursday at the PGA Championship
It was a year ago that we the north, found ourselves with toes and fingers crossed. The Oak Hill PGA Championship of 2023 finished on schedule, despite the iffiness of weather in upstate New York. It’s 75 degrees today across the Niagara Frontier, which makes it two out of three (2022 was the same way) for sultry, unseasonal weather.
Louisville is, let’s be honest, a much better bet for a May PGA Championship, and Valhalla is an exciting venue for the year’s second major championship on the men’s circuit. Brooks Koepka came in as the defending champion, and Rory McIlroy arrived as the last golfer to win a major at the Nicklaus-designed course. That was a decade ago, and lord, have things changed in the world and golf.
Day one at Valhalla offered walk-in eagles, buckets of birdies, and potential for a record-low, winner’s score. We’ll get right to the meat of the matter, with five things that we learned. After all, if you can make par from the muck, anything’s possible in the land of the horses.
Cam Smith made par from here …#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/BY5ZFCiH45
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
1. X marks this spot
Xander Schauffele went head-to-head last Sunday with Rory McIlroy, at least on the practice green. By the end of the round, Rors had won for a fourth time at Charlotte, while the X Man sat scratching his head, wondering what went wrong. Fortunately for us, Xander didn’t sulk.
The San Diego State alumnus absolutely torched Jack’s track with 62. Four birdies on the front nine, were followed by five more on the inward side. Schauffele never looked as if bogey was a consideration, and he might have gone even lower. Despite winning the Covid-delayed Gold medal at the Japan Olympics (I consider it a major, btdubs) Schauffele continues to chase an initial men’s major, and the validation that it brings. If 62 doesn’t get you over the hump, who knows what will.
Cam Smith made par from here …#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/BY5ZFCiH45
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
2. Scottie starts strong? Aye.
Last month, Mr. Scheffler won a second green jacket at Augusta National. Last year in Rochester, Mr. Scheffler tied for second in this event. Mr. Scheffler began play today with a walk-in eagle, a one-hop affair that never looked as if it might go anywhere but to its home. Scheffler had a few rough holes, but that’s to be expected from a new dad. Each time he made bogey, he bounced back with birdie, so he has that short memory that winners crave. Surprisingly, Scheffler failed to manage one last birdie at the reachable 18th. Perhaps that miss will motivate him in round two.
Scottie’s shot was so nice we had to see it twice ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/eR1UUsyi3a
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
3. LIV Check-In
It’s good to check in on the departed from time to time, to ensure that the fellows formerly known as PGA Tour members are doing well. It’s safe to say that some of them can still play. Defending champion Brooks Koepka posted 67 on the day, He had an eagle and three birdies on the day, with only a stumble at the 17th. He’s tied for 7th. Bryson DeChambeau made an eagle of his own, but also had a bogey, at the 12th hole. He cohabits eleventh position with Cameron Smith, who ALSO had a bogey on his card. They are one shot behind Koepka, and a fistful more behind the leader.
ON THE MONEY ?
Bryson DeChambeau for eagle! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Gz24VikAGQ
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
4. Sahith and Tony at Schauffele’s heels
Both Finau and Theegala represent a special sort of athletic golfer. Their power and their charisma blend to draw golf fans to their groups. Let’s be honest, too, and say that they don’t look like the traditional professional golfer. As much as Tiger Woods did in the 1990s, they have the power to bring greater diversity to the sport.
In terms of their play today, well, only Xander was better. Finau had a clean card, with six birdies and twelve pars. Theegala had seven birdies, ten pars, and one bogey. Each combined power and finesse to insert themselves squarely in contention, ahead of round two. How will they, and Xander as well, manage the afternoon putting surface on Friday? That’s the great unknown!
SAHITH. THEEGALA. ?
This hole out puts him in a tie for the lead early at the #PGAChamp.
? @PGAChampionship pic.twitter.com/s3vLZNBQI7
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 16, 2024
5. All those other guys are here!
Rory, Tom Kim, Collin, and Viktor are all at minus-three or lower. Valhalla may not be a traditional golf course, but it is the type of course that the world’s best play well. McIlroy currently sits at minus-five, tied with Robert MacIntyre, Kim, and three others in fourth position. Maverick McNealy finished fast to reach the same figure, as did Tom Hoge. Morikawa closed with birdie to join the sextet at five below. Both Scheffler and Morikawa finished their rounds late on Thursday, meaning they should see smoother greens on Friday morning. If someone is a betting soul, wiser wagers could not be placed on better names than those two, two-time, major champions. Rory will tee off in Friday’s afternoon wave but, hey, he’s Rory, and he won going away last week at Quail Hollow, a course not unlike Valhalla.
The 2020 PGA Champion is making moves.
A solid approach shot from Collin Morikawa ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/DpD7QNfbSM
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
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Morning 9: Tiger 2025 Ryder Cup talks continue | Rory: Tour in a worse place with Dunne’s resignation
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