FORE!

[egr2teup]

If it pertains to golf, this is your place.

Even tho we had to start a new thread, I want to maintain the tweet below. I've never seen it happen. Have you?

 

[PINEHEEL]

I've never even heard of it happening. This is the golf version of kissing your sister. The real question is, if this happens to you in a group with your three best friends, are you and they counting it as a HIO?

I know I'm counting it. I'm confident they wouldn't.

 

[unctarheel1984]

It’s a hole in one, so YEAH!

 

[egr2teup]

I've never even heard of it happening. This is the golf version of kissing your sister. The real question is, if this happens to you in a group with your three best friends, are you and they counting it as a HIO?

I know I'm counting it. I'm confident they wouldn't.

That shot, within the rules, is most definitely a hole-in-one.

Your buddies should trust the rule.

 

[egr2teup]

Convince me Keegan won't make himself a captain's pick.

 

[ronjon]

I've never even heard of it happening. This is the golf version of kissing your sister. The real question is, if this happens to you in a group with your three best friends, are you and they counting it as a HIO?

I know I'm counting it. I'm confident they wouldn't.

Maybe like kissing a hot girl who later became your step sister. Feels odd, but you definitely count it.

 

[PureJumper]

I think the rules change request the other day indicates he is leaning towards picking himself.

 

[DrJonnyUNCMD]

Convince me Keegan won't make himself a captain's pick.

I think it about has to be the top 4 non-qualifiers there plus 2 out of Gotterup/Young/Cantlay. Outside shot of Berger.

only other option I see is dropping Collin based on his play of late and taking all 3.

 

[ronjon]

Convince me Keegan won't make himself a captain's pick.

This isn’t convincing, but maybe he takes Andrew Novak (#13 on the list) to partner up with Ben Griffin given their proven team success.

 

[egr2teup]

I think the rules change request the other day indicates he is leaning towards picking himself.

I've been on vacation and had not seen that.

I'm convinced he'll pick himself now.

 

[egr2teup]

I think it about has to be the top 4 non-qualifiers there plus 2 out of Gotterup/Young/Cantlay. Outside shot of Berger.

only other option I see is dropping Collin based on his play of late and taking all 3.

I like your suggestion. That two out of three will probably come down to who plays best in the playoffs.

Top six post BMW are automatic. The remixing six will be announced Tour Championship week.

 

[egr2teup]

This isn’t convincing, but maybe he takes Andrew Novak (#13 on the list) to partner up with Ben Griffin given their proven team success.

Novak can also help his cause in the playoffs.

 

[LeoBloom]

All right. So this is now the correct golf thread.

 

[DesertHeels]

All right. So this is now the correct golf thread.

It has been a bit confusing.
Formerly WMTM

 

[PINEHEEL]

This isn’t convincing, but maybe he takes Andrew Novak (#13 on the list) to partner up with Ben Griffin given their proven team success.

I could actually get behind that logic after listening to Griffin's interview on NLU. He said he and Novak were playing together a lot in Sea Island and every time they would play together against other pros they would win. Over like a couple of years this was happening, not just a few times. That's why they knew they needed to finally play Zurich together.

 

[PINEHEEL]

I think it about has to be the top 4 non-qualifiers there plus 2 out of Gotterup/Young/Cantlay. Outside shot of Berger.

only other option I see is dropping Collin based on his play of late and taking all 3.

I'm almost at the point where I don't see how you can take Collin. DataGolf has him 27th among Americans in True Strokes Gained total over the past three months. That is behind guys like Jackson Koivun (who is actually 7th), Sam Stevens, Rickie Fowler, and Kurt Kitayama.

I don't think the LIV numbers are calculated in an Apples to Apples fashion so I didn't mention them, but if you're interested he's also behind Talor Gooch, Charles Howell III, and Bubba freakin' Watson.

In other words, he's unusable in anything other than singles, so why take him?

This is fun to play around with if you're interested. All columns are sortable...

Ryder Cup | Qualification

2025 Ryder Cup qualification standings supplemented by strokes-gained stats and rankings.

datagolf.com

 

[PINEHEEL]

If it were up to me today, and with the caveat that I don't know their personalities and how that should be weighted for a Captain, I would pick the following six...

Griffin
Gotterup
Cam Young
JT
Cantlay
Keegan

Picking himself is tough, and I understand both sides of the argument, but ultimately for me it comes down to the reward being greater than the risk. I think he will be inspired to play well and it fires up the team room. If he doesn't, what does it really cost you? Not getting to add Sam Burns to the team? It's not like there are a lot of great options hanging around 12th.

Long way to go, so we'll see how this all looks in a month. There will be risers and fallers.

 

[DrJonnyUNCMD]

If it were up to me today, and with the caveat that I don't know their personalities and how that should be weighted for a Captain, I would pick the following six...

Griffin
Gotterup
Cam Young
JT
Cantlay
Keegan

Picking himself is tough, and I understand both sides of the argument, but ultimately for me it comes down to the reward being greater than the risk. I think he will be inspired to play well and it fires up the team room. If he doesn't, what does it really cost you? Not getting to add Sam Burns to the team? It's not like there are a lot of great options hanging around 12th.

Long way to go, so we'll see how this all looks in a month. There will be risers and fallers.

Yeah. I could roll with these 6.

 

[Uncmba2]

I just don’t like Cantley after the **** he pulled at the last Ryder cup.

 

[DesertHeels]

I just don’t like Cantley after the **** he pulled at the last Ryder cup.

You mean his caddy? Or Rory?
Rory was a total sh-t

 

[PureJumper]

He might be talking about what Cantley and Xander did with the hats.

 

[Uncmba2]

The hat issue and fussing about money.

 

[KisRat]

Jeeno takes women’s world #1 ranking from Nelly.

 

[PINEHEEL]

I just don’t like Cantley after the **** he pulled at the last Ryder cup.

Me neither, but when your RC record is 5-2-1 and you're taking the 12th spot on the team I can make concessions.

 

[lakelawyerheel]

I could actually get behind that logic after listening to Griffin's interview on NLU. He said he and Novak were playing together a lot in Sea Island and every time they would play together against other pros they would win. Over like a couple of years this was happening, not just a few times. That's why they knew they needed to finally play Zurich together.

I can as well. It's time the US team starts thinking strategically. Pairings make up 2/3rds of the Ryder Cup and the Euros have traditionally been MUCH better on Friday and Saturday. Roll the dice and try to hit on a team that can bring you multiple points.

It's about WINNING! The only guys that "earn" their spot are the top 6 in points. If #7 or #8 are on a downturn or historically bad in pairs....leave them at home

 

[PINEHEEL]

Jeeno takes women’s world #1 ranking from Nelly.

It's time we have an open discussion about women's professional golf. I have sincerely tried to follow and care about it over the last couple of years, in part because the podcasters and newsletters I follow all give a lot of attention to growing the sport. The new LPGA CEO seems to be a good hire and I'm pulling for them to succeed.

All of that said, how in the hell do y'all watch this? The product is just OK, and there isn't a sport in the world with more blah personalities or superstars from an American viewership perspective. The Asians (or those of Asian descent who may technically be Americans or Australians) who dominate the Tour have a culture, behavioral, and language difference that makes it hard to develop a rooting interest in any of them. Even someone like Nelly isn't exactly bursting with personality, and changing that perception needs to be priority numero uno for new Commish Craig Kessler.

Additionally, there's far too much parity. Of the last 20 major winners (they play five a year), they've had 18 different winners. Only Minjee Lee and Lilia Vu have won more than one over that time span. I looked at the coverage of the AIG a few times over the weekend, and I never recognized a single name near the top of the leaderboard. I'm hoping Lottie Woad can become the dominant golfer (and ideally personality, too) the sport sorely needs to make it compelling television.

Aesthetically, too many of the swings all look the same. Great tempo, but not a lot of power. Which maybe should be more compelling for me, since I have neither, but I like to see a pro step on their swing speed with a driver or rip a wedge back with 20 yards of backspin.

I hope that with a young daughter I'll be watching a lot more of it in the coming years, so I would sure like it if the product and athletes were more compelling to me. But maybe this is just a me problem.

 

[LeoBloom]

The hat issue and fussing about money.

With you on Cantlay. Also, he’s boring as dirt.

 

[LeoBloom]

I'm almost at the point where I don't see how you can take Collin. DataGolf has him 27th among Americans in True Strokes Gained total over the past three months. That is behind guys like Jackson Koivun (who is actually 7th), Sam Stevens, Rickie Fowler, and Kurt Kitayama.

I don't think the LIV numbers are calculated in an Apples to Apples fashion so I didn't mention them, but if you're interested he's also behind Talor Gooch, Charles Howell III, and Bubba freakin' Watson.

In other words, he's unusable in anything other than singles, so why take him?

This is fun to play around with if you're interested. All columns are sortable...

Ryder Cup | Qualification

2025 Ryder Cup qualification standings supplemented by strokes-gained stats and rankings.

datagolf.com

The American side, IMO, needs some new blood. I’m all for Griffin, Gotterup.

 

[lakelawyerheel]

With you on Cantlay. Also, he’s boring as dirt.

And slow as molasses. I just can't force myself to root for Cantlay. I've tried. Everything about him screams douche bag

 

[ronjon]

It's time we have an open discussion about women's professional golf. I have sincerely tried to follow and care about it over the last couple of years, in part because the podcasters and newsletters I follow all give a lot of attention to growing the sport. The new LPGA CEO seems to be a good hire and I'm pulling for them to succeed.

All of that said, how in the hell do y'all watch this? The product is just OK, and there isn't a sport in the world with more blah personalities or superstars from an American viewership perspective. The Asians (or those of Asian descent who may technically be Americans or Australians) who dominate the Tour have a culture, behavioral, and language difference that makes it hard to develop a rooting interest in any of them. Even someone like Nelly isn't exactly bursting with personality, and changing that perception needs to be priority numero uno for new Commish Craig Kessler.

Additionally, there's far too much parity. Of the last 20 major winners (they play five a year), they've had 18 different winners. Only Minjee Lee and Lilia Vu have won more than one over that time span. I looked at the coverage of the AIG a few times over the weekend, and I never recognized a single name near the top of the leaderboard. I'm hoping Lottie Woad can become the dominant golfer (and ideally personality, too) the sport sorely needs to make it compelling television.

Aesthetically, too many of the swings all look the same. Great tempo, but not a lot of power. Which maybe should be more compelling for me, since I have neither, but I like to see a pro step on their swing speed with a driver or rip a wedge back with 20 yards of backspin.

I hope that with a young daughter I'll be watching a lot more of it in the coming years, so I would sure like it if the product and athletes were more compelling to me. But maybe this is just a me problem.

I watch a lot more men's golf simply because it's on a lot more. I actually prefer the women's game in many ways. The Men's tour has turned in to smash ball with the 300+ yard drives and short irons to the greens. Watching these guys club courses in to submission gets old quickly. It's forced the tour away from some interesting courses in favor of mostly generic TPC courses.

I hear you about the bland personalities on the women's tour, but the the men's tour has the same problem, especially with some of the more interesting characters going to LIV. I mean, no one thinks Scheffler is interesting in any way.

I agree the women's game would get a lot more attention if it had a dominant player and a more consistent top tier of players. Nelly was tracking for that dominant role but I think the injuries took their toll. Hoping she get's it back, I find her compelling. And yes, if Woad could establish herself along with Nelly, that would be aces.

 

[egr2teup]

It's time we have an open discussion about women's professional golf. I have sincerely tried to follow and care about it over the last couple of years, in part because the podcasters and newsletters I follow all give a lot of attention to growing the sport. The new LPGA CEO seems to be a good hire and I'm pulling for them to succeed.

All of that said, how in the hell do y'all watch this? The product is just OK, and there isn't a sport in the world with more blah personalities or superstars from an American viewership perspective. The Asians (or those of Asian descent who may technically be Americans or Australians) who dominate the Tour have a culture, behavioral, and language difference that makes it hard to develop a rooting interest in any of them. Even someone like Nelly isn't exactly bursting with personality, and changing that perception needs to be priority numero uno for new Commish Craig Kessler.

Additionally, there's far too much parity. Of the last 20 major winners (they play five a year), they've had 18 different winners. Only Minjee Lee and Lilia Vu have won more than one over that time span. I looked at the coverage of the AIG a few times over the weekend, and I never recognized a single name near the top of the leaderboard. I'm hoping Lottie Woad can become the dominant golfer (and ideally personality, too) the sport sorely needs to make it compelling television.

Aesthetically, too many of the swings all look the same. Great tempo, but not a lot of power. Which maybe should be more compelling for me, since I have neither, but I like to see a pro step on their swing speed with a driver or rip a wedge back with 20 yards of backspin.

I hope that with a young daughter I'll be watching a lot more of it in the coming years, so I would sure like it if the product and athletes were more compelling to me. But maybe this is just a me problem.

Yes, we could have an open discussion about the LPGA Tour but it won't last long, imo, for all the reasons you've listed. Simply put, it isn't a good product.

I know because I used to watch the ladies play all the time but not now.

 

[egr2teup]

ICYMI, Rory isn't playing Memphis.

Nothing screams, " the format should be changed for the playoffs " like one of the top players skipping the first event.

 

[KisRat]

It's time we have an open discussion about women's professional golf. I have sincerely tried to follow and care about it over the last couple of years, in part because the podcasters and newsletters I follow all give a lot of attention to growing the sport. The new LPGA CEO seems to be a good hire and I'm pulling for them to succeed.

All of that said, how in the hell do y'all watch this? The product is just OK, and there isn't a sport in the world with more blah personalities or superstars from an American viewership perspective. The Asians (or those of Asian descent who may technically be Americans or Australians) who dominate the Tour have a culture, behavioral, and language difference that makes it hard to develop a rooting interest in any of them. Even someone like Nelly isn't exactly bursting with personality, and changing that perception needs to be priority numero uno for new Commish Craig Kessler.

Additionally, there's far too much parity. Of the last 20 major winners (they play five a year), they've had 18 different winners. Only Minjee Lee and Lilia Vu have won more than one over that time span. I looked at the coverage of the AIG a few times over the weekend, and I never recognized a single name near the top of the leaderboard. I'm hoping Lottie Woad can become the dominant golfer (and ideally personality, too) the sport sorely needs to make it compelling television.

Aesthetically, too many of the swings all look the same. Great tempo, but not a lot of power. Which maybe should be more compelling for me, since I have neither, but I like to see a pro step on their swing speed with a driver or rip a wedge back with 20 yards of backspin.

I hope that with a young daughter I'll be watching a lot more of it in the coming years, so I would sure like it if the product and athletes were more compelling to me. But maybe this is just a me problem.

Maybe the LPGA should go back to this policy:

LPGA Tour: Players need to pass oral English test

The LPGA will require its member golfers to learn and speak English and will suspend their membership if they don't comply, Golfweek reported on its Web site.

www.espn.com

 

[PINEHEEL]

Maybe the LPGA should go back to this policy:

LPGA Tour: Players need to pass oral English test

The LPGA will require its member golfers to learn and speak English and will suspend their membership if they don't comply, Golfweek reported on its Web site.

www.espn.com

Haha, I actually thought about that while I was typing up that post. They could never get away with that today but... *whispers* ...I at least understood what they were trying to accomplish. *whispers*

I'm guessing that playing in bikinis is off the table as well.

Do you know what annoys me the most about the LPGA? The completely unnecessary post-round half-hugs, half-back pats, by players and caddies alike.

 

[KisRat]

Haha, I actually thought about that while I was typing up that post. They could never get away with that today but... *whispers* ...I at least understood what they were trying to accomplish. *whispers*

I'm guessing that playing in bikinis is off the table as well.

Do you know what annoys me the most about the LPGA? The completely unnecessary post-round half-hugs, half-back pats, by players and caddies alike.

Yup

 

[ronjon]

ICYMI, Rory isn't playing Memphis.

Nothing screams, " the format should be changed for the playoffs " like one of the top players skipping the first event.

I don't mind it too much, it's like a first round bye. The whole concept of a playoff in golf is weird anyway, the majors are the clear main events of the year.

 

[PINEHEEL]

ICYMI, Rory isn't playing Memphis.

Nothing screams, " the format should be changed for the playoffs " like one of the top players skipping the first event.

Would you play golf in Memphis in August if you had Rory's money? You probably have to just throw all of your clothes away after each round.

FWIW, guys at the top of the FedEx Standings have often skipped either this event or the BMW. Rory certainly isn't the first.

 

[Uncmba2]

 

[PINEHEEL]

What I'm about to type is going to sound outrageous, but...I don't think it's as crazy as it sounds?

8 guests x 7 nights is 56 guests. That equates to $4K per guest, per day, and includes transportation, tee times, tickets, meals, accommodations, staff, fees, etc.

Would you do it with your buddies? No, but it isn't that ridiculous for a multi-million dollar company. Some companies spend more than that on their holiday parties.

 

[egr2teup]

Would you play golf in Memphis in August if you had Rory's money? You probably have to just throw all of your clothes away after each round.

FWIW, guys at the top of the FedEx Standings have often skipped either this event or the BMW. Rory certainly isn't the first.

I don't want to play golf in Memphis for any reason.

Yes, I'm aware some of the top players have skipped the first event previously. That doesn't change my opinion that its an issue that could be corrected.