Welcome, golf fans! This week on Hittin’ the Links, we usher in the re-return of Tiger Woods to the PGA Tour, take notice of Jon Rahm’s first Tour victory, and check in on the LPGA. We also join Jack Nicklaus as he watches Roger Federer reach 18, attempt to keep straight who’s gaming what, and look forward to next week’s tournament in Dubai.
Let’s hit the links!
Hole #1: Jon Rahm Wins at Torrey
22-year-old Jon Rahm became the latest young golfer to break through on the PGA Tour, winning by three shots in his 13th start on Tour. [Link]
Hole #2: Tiger Misses Cut
It was a short week for Tiger Woods, who missed the cut at the site of his most recent major championship win. He went 76-72, and hardly took a single swing from the short grass. [Link]
Hole #3: Lincicome Wins on LPGA Tour over Thompson
Brittany Lincicome beat Lexi Thompson on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the Pure Silk-Bahamas Classic. They both finished regulation at -26, just a stroke off the all-time LPGA record. [Link]
Hole #4: Who’s Wearing New Threads, Swinging New Sticks?
With the shakeup at Nike, the golf equipment world has been in a state of flux. Golf Digest chronicles who went where. [Link]
Hole #5: What Will Tiger Do in Dubai?
There’s no rest for the not-so-weary, as Tiger Woods will head to the Middle East to play in the Dubai Desert Classic. The field won’t be so deep, but he wasn’t exactly playing against major-caliber competition at Torrey either. [Link]
Hole #6: Phil Mickelson on the Golf.com Podcast
I’m not really a Phil fan, but when I saw this podcast pop up on twitter last week I had to give it a listen. He’s surprisingly revealing about his career, the Ryder Cup, and his relationships on Tour. [Link]
Hole #7: Persistent/Creepy Average Joe to Caddy For Sergio
Superfan/crazy person Mark Johnson is going to get a chance to caddy for Sergio Garcia during the pro-am of the British Masters this September. Johnson’s incessant Twitter campaign finally broke Sergio down after months of pleading. [Link]
Hole #8: Nicklaus Watched Roger Federer Reach 18
…But he missed the ending! Roger’s 18th – several years removed from his previous Grand Slam victories – actually mirrors Nicklaus’ surprisingly strongly. [Link]
Hole #9: Weekly Woods Wrap-up
In 2001, a Philadelphia radio show host made a website proclaiming Tiger Woods to be divine. Remember those days? Boy was that a long time ago. [Link]
The Phil podcast was great. Highly recommended, whether you like the guy or don’t. You’ll probably end up liking him a bit more after it, though.
Just listened to the Phil podcast, really interesting. I’ve always liked Phil, I can see why people don’t and even in the podcast when he’s talking about his money matches I can see how he might rub people the wrong way. But overall, a really fun listen.
Loved the Sergio Garcia grants super-fan the chance to caddie for him post, what a dream come true for a fan. Imagine caddying for one of your heroes, its amazing what persistence can do, great job.