Will he or won’t he? All signs point to a return to play for Rory McIlroy next week just in time for the PGA Championship. He has a tee time with Jordan Spieth and Zach Johnson. He’s been posting photos and video of himself working out and hitting shots. Indications certainly favor Rory teeing it up Thursday, though he doesn’t have to commit until his official tee time.
Even if the World No. 1’s ankle won’t let him play, the field will be plenty loaded with Speith, the two Johnson’s, Mickelson, Furyk, Watson, Day, Garcia, and, yes, that Woods guy. Plus, oh, about 10 or 20 who could win without totally shocking us, and the rest of the field who we might be surprised to see win, but are fully capable of doing so including, if the stars align just right, the club pros.
Let’s hit the links.
Hole #1: Fear the Beard
On the strength of an unlikely birdie and a final round 66, Shane Lowry became the somewhat surprising winner of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, earning his PGA TOUR card in the process. But if you’ve been paying attention this year, you probably suspected that a big win was coming for the Irishman. [Link]
Hole #2: Louise Suggs Passes
She helped found the women’s professional tour, won 58 professional events, and if you spotted her enough strokes just a few years ago, she would have taken your money. [Link]
Hole #3: Greener Fairways in Our Future?
Is golf back? For the first time in years, rounds played are up. [Link]
Hole #4: Maggert Wins Again
Jeff Maggert won the Shaw Charity Classic by four strokes Sunday for his third Champions Tour win of the year. [Link]
Hole #5: There’s a New Sheriff in Town
The European Tour has a new commissioner as of last Monday. [Link]
Hole #6: Pacman the Player
Adam Jones loves golf, and it may be helping him calm his demons. And maybe or maybe not keeping him from “making it rain” in the clubs at night. [Link]
Hole #7: Don’t Play These Guys in Beer Pong
Or golf for that matter. [Link]
Hole #8: So, If Golf Doesn’t Work Out…
I know you’ll be relieved to learn that Tiger Woods is now also a restaurateur. [Link]
Hole #9: Henry’s Eagle Takes Playoff
In the Barracuda Championship, J.J. Henry and Kyle Reifers faced off in a playoff at +47 (Modified Stableford), after Henry made birdie on the final hole of regulation to tie. Henry made a 15-foot putt for eagle on the second playoff hole, and Reifers missed from 10. Oh yeah, and Andres Romero withdrew on Saturday after punching a sign. [Link]