Welcome back to Hittin’ the Links! The American team was victorious at the Presidents Cup this weekend, routing the International team to the tune of 19-11. Jordan Spieth had an interesting rules snafu, as we’ll dig into.
We’ll also hear from Tiger Woods, check in with the European and LPGA Tours, and summarize the Web.com Tour Championship. All that plus a deep dive into the personal life of Arnold Palmer.
Let’s hit the links.
Hole #1: U.S. Routs Internationals in Presidents Cup
The American team was decisively victorious at this year’s Presidents Cup, winning 19-11. That score makes it seem even closer than it was. [Link]
Hole #2: Spieth Loses Hole on Odd Rule Violation
Jordan Spieth lost a hole Saturday in bizarre fashion. He swatted a missed put by Louis Oosthuizen away to concede the putt rather than letting it come to a complete stop, in violation of Rule 1-2, proving that even the best in the world sometimes screw up the simple ones. [Link]
Hole #3: Woods: ‘I don’t know what my future holds’
Tiger Woods caused quite a stir at the beginning of the week, stressing in a press conference that he was still very early in the rehab process after his April back surgery. Summed up well: “There’s no rush.” [Link]
Hole #4: Paul Dunne Bests McIlroy at British Masters
Paul Dunne carded a final-round 61 to hold off a late-charging Rory McIlroy and win his first professional event at Close House Golf Club. [Link]
Hole #5: Arnold Palmer, As Told By His Daughter Peg
If you’re going to visit one of these links, make it this one. [Link]
Hole #6: Brooke Henderson Wins New Zealand Women’s Open
Despite constant rain and a Monday finish, Henderson’s five-shot win made her the only LPGA golfer to win multiple times in both 2016 and 2017. [Link]
Hole #7: Jonathan Byrd Wins Web.com Tour Championship
39-year-old Jonathan Byrd won the Web.com Tour Championship by three shots, earning his PGA Tour card for the first time since 2015. [Link]
Hole #8: Matt Harmon Narrowly Misses Out on PGA Tour Card
With just two holes to play in the Web.com Tour Championship, Matt Harmon was in position to earn his PGA Tour card. Missed 3-footers for birdie on 17 and par on 18 dropped him out of the top 25, relegating him back to the Web.com Tour. [Link]
Hole #9: Weekly Woods Wrap-up
If you’ve ever wanted to know what it feels like to play a competitive round with Tiger Woods, reading these profiles is your best way to find out. [Link]