Volume Four Hundred Sixty

And we’re off. It’s a new year if not a new season on the PGA TOUR.

Questions abound… What does the year hold for the Big Three-plus. Will Rory get back to form? Probably. Will Jordan Speith pick up where he left off? Keep reading… Now that Jason Day has won a major, how long will we wait for number two? Not too long, I suspect. Can Fowler make it a Big Four? A major win would go a long way. Will Tiger tee it up in 2016? Would you really be that shocked if he showed up on the tee at Augusta? What young players will break through this year (DeChambeau?… assuming he goes pro after the Masters), and what old pros will show they’re not quite ready for the senior circuit (Phil?)?

Let’s hit the links.

Hole #1: It’s Jordan’s World
He’s now the third youngest to notch seven career wins, behind Horton Smith and Tiger Woods. Jordan Spieth shot 30-under (yes, 30) for the four round Hyundai Tournament of Champions and won by eight strokes. It looks like more of the same in 2016 for the 22-year-old. [Link]

Hole #2: A First for Stone
Brandon Stone let a five-shot lead slip away at the BMW South African Open, then rallied for a two-shot lead and his first title on the European Tour. [Link]

Hole #3: Trump vs. Jackson
Have these guys played together? Does Jackson cheat? And now for another episode of “How the Hair Piece Turns.” [Link]

Hole #4: That’s Not Permitted at Bushwood, Sir
David Howell took off his shirt to play a shot from a water hazard last week at the BMW South African Open. That’s got to be a violation of club rules. Right? [Link]

Hole #5: Nor Is That, Sir
Rickie Fowler turned up for his first round in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions wearing high-top golf shoes and what appeared to be jogging pants. [Link]

Hole #6: Donald Almost Gave Up
Luke Donald admitted last week that he almost quit professional golf before working with a psychologist and telling himself to “grow up and not be a baby.” [Link]

Hole #7: Is Chivalry Dead?
LeBron James, trying to save a ball from going out of bounds, bowled over Jason Day’s wife, Ellie, back in December, while the golfer seemingly sat and watched next to her. While she had some post-concussion symptoms, Ellie has apparently recovered fully. But that didn’t stop social media from erupting immediately following the game, accusing Day of not trying to protect his wife. Last week, Jason and Ellie shot back. [Link]

Hole #8: A Return to the Scene of the Crime
Robert Allenby will play the Sony Open next week. You might recall he had a spot of bother there last year. [Link]

Hole #9: Nicklaus Honored
Jack Nicklaus was officially named a Great Ohioan last week. [Link]

Bonus Hole: But Is That Either’s Goal?
Can Jordan Spieth be the next Tiger Woods with Tiger’s help? [Link]