Henrik Stenson, Henrik Stenson, and more Henrik Stenson.
It wasn’t the Duel in the Sun, but it may have been the Battle in the Breezes, as Phil Mickelson shoots a final-round, final-pairing 65… and loses by three to Henrik Stenson’s 63, with none other than Johnny Miller on the call.
We cap off the U.S. Women’s Open, look forward to the British, and check in on the Olympics.
Hello SandTrappers! I am Jeff … umm John … umm Jamieson Wilson or something like that, and welcome to this week’s Hittin’ The Links. Today, we take a look backwards to the history of Royal Troon, get into some current rules and PR issues that the USGA is having, and look forward to next week’s British Open.
All that plus Zach Johnson’s last hurrah with the Claret Jug, shots fired from the International Golf Federation, and Good Guy Paul Goydos taking home a hefty check on the Champions Tour.
Let’s get into it!
DJ wins, JD falls apart, and a preview of the U.S. Women’s Open.
Dustin Johnson, he formerly of the 800-lb major championship gorilla, appears to be breaking through big time. With his most recent win, this time at Firestone, Johnson now has three WGC wins, and continues to move up the career wins list. Johnson’s 11 PGA Tour wins look more and more impressive by the year as the PGA Tour searches for a dominant star player to fill the Tiger void.
On this week’s Hittin’ the Links, we take a look at DJ’s win, JD’s collapse, and more from this week on the PGA Tour. We also check in with Stacey Lewis, who has some opinions on the Olympics, take a look at the best food at the turn, and learn how to get a tee time at The Old Course.
Let’s get to it!
Billy Hurley picks up his first win, Charlie Woods nearly breaks through, and the PGA Tour cancels the Greenbrier.
Billy Hurley III was the highlight of the weekend, winning the Quicken Loans National to earn his first career PGA Tour victory. He was joined in the winner’s circle this week by Lydia Ko on the LPGA Tour, Henrick Stenson on the European Tour, and very nearly by Charlie Woods on the junior circuit.
We’ll also check in on the rapidly declining Olympic golf player pool, see how Oakmont looks after the U.S. Open, and find out why there won’t be a Greenbrier Classic this year. All that plus Gary Player being Gary Player.
Let’s hit the links.
It’s almost U.S. Open time. You can almost hear the knees knocking.
It rained once again on the Memorial. But despite the soft conditions, players were mainly backing up on Sunday.
Matt Kuchar came out after Sunday’s rain delay and promptly made double-bogey. Dustin Johnson just might be the best tee-to-green player on the tour, and its worst putter. It sure looked like it this week.
With the U.S. Open starting in just 10 days, the big three are looking solid but not invincible. Jason Day and Rory McIlory were in the conversation until late on Sunday. Jordan Spieth looked a little shaky over the weekend but had his game working earlier in the week. With the way they are playing, as well as with some strong performances by others, Oakmont could be a whole lot of fun.
Let’s hit the links.
What slump?
What a time to be a golf fan.
Each of the game’s Big(gest) Three — Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, and Rory McIlroy — have each won in their last start and will go head to head this week at the Memorial. Meanwhile, the ranks of the also-could-wins are packed solid.
Are we missing Tiger, who will not tee it up at yet another tournament this week. Yes, but there’s also plenty of fantastic golf being played. The U.S. Open has the potential of being epic.
Let’s hit the links.
Sergio survives, Rory rallies, and Ariya arrives (again).
The off the course developments this week were almost as interesting as the competition on the course.
Tiger Watch 2016 may be longer than expected after he looked stiff at a media event and dunked three straight wedge shots in the water at Congressional. Maybe we won’t be seeing him in Dublin in a little over a week for the Memorial.
Elsewhere, Mickelson reached an agreement with the Feds. A former European Ryder Cup Team captain (McGinley) indicated that a former European Ryder Cup Team member (McIlroy) has issues between his ears. (Wonder if his thoughts have changed after Sunday.) And the membership of an Open Championship venue put up the sign “No gurlz aloud.”
Let’s hit the links.
Jason Day, ladies and gentlemen. Jason. Day.
Jason Day outlasted the best field in golf to take home the crystal at the Players Championship, shooting a Sunday 71 to cap off a dominant week. Day opened with 63-66, and didn’t take his foot off the pedal, even as the conditions worsened over the weekend. The win at TPC Sawgrass is Day’s seventh in his last 17 tournaments.
We also take a look at Rory’s continued (relative) struggles, get an update on Olympic golf, and sneak a peek into the continued awkwardness of Tiger’s post-Thanksgiving life.
Let’s hit the links.
Still no end in sight for Tiger Watch ’16.
Tiger Woods did not register for next week’s Players Championship, so that means the next most likely even that he’ll be part of is the Memorial the first week of June. His camp has apparently made housing arrangements for both the Memorial and the U.S. Open. We’ll see if Tiger comes out to play.
Elsewhere, the rumors we’ve been hearing for months are true. Adidas is looking to sell TaylorMade, Adams and Ashworth. The leading candidates to purchase at least TM are rumored to be Under Armour and New Balance, but that could all be conjecture.
In the meantime, next week will bring a Dye-abolical time in Ponte Vedra. It’s always a good time, probably more so for us watching than those playing.
Let’s hit the links.