Xander Schauffele gained gold on the Tokyo Olympics — then added two main titles since.
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Test in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most popular subjects within the sport, and be a part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week we stay up for the boys’s Olympic Golf competitors, talk about Jon Rahm’s first LIV Golf victory, the most effective offers in golf and extra.
The PGA Tour is off this week for the boys’s Olympic Golf competitors, which begins Thursday at Le Golf Nationwide outdoors of Paris. With golf now competing within the Video games a 3rd time, do you anticipate curiosity within the occasion to extend as nicely?
Sean Zak, senior author (@Sean_Zak): I undoubtedly anticipate a bump. Largely due to the time zone distinction between Paris and Tokyo. Followers within the States will be capable of catch the ultimate spherical of the leaders, largely in full in the event that they’d like. It might be Rory McIlroy vs. Scottie Scheffler, if the IGF is fortunate. It might be Shub Sharma in opposition to C.T. Pan, which might be totally different however enjoyable, too. Largely, the medals will get handed out round 11 a.m. on the East Coast. That appears nice! And if there’s a playoff — which there possible might be — even higher.
Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): I’m positive the hardcore followers might be extra engaged than three years in the past in Tokyo, however so far as the typical Olympics fan goes, I’m unsure golf will garner a lot curiosity. There are too many different fashionable Olympic sports activities for golf to be an enormous draw.
Nick Dimengo, instruction editor (@ndimengo): I do. It’s one other alternative to see lots of the greatest gamers on the planet compete in opposition to each other, so golf followers must be . Plus, who doesn’t prefer it when LIV guys and PGA Tour guys get collectively at an occasion?
What’s one storyline golf followers have to observe when the 60-player subject tees it up on Thursday?
Zak: I’m fairly curious in regards to the LIV contingent at this event. They’re not enjoying for the mega-million-dollar purses they’re used to, however they’ve proven up nonetheless hoping to earn one thing distinctive from this championship season. For a man like Jon Rahm, it might make what has been a really irritating 12 months a bit extra palatable.
Melton: It’ll be enjoyable to observe Xander defend his gold after the stellar main season he put collectively. If he or Scottie can nab a gold in Paris, the player-of-the-year race can have one other bullet level to think about.
This PGA Tour rookie didn’t win the 3M Open. However he stole the present
Dimengo: I agree with Zephyr and might be protecting a detailed eye on Schauffele. Not solely is he coming off a victory on the Open Championship, however he’s additionally defending his Olympic gold medal. Can he maintain it going?
Jon Rahm, who signed a mega-deal with LIV Golf earlier than this season, picked up his first particular person victory on Sunday within the UK after Tyrrell Hatton three-putted on the 18th inexperienced and made bogey. Who was this win extra necessary for: Rahm, or LIV Golf?
Zak: Oh, this was method greater for Rahm. LIV’s third season was all about his arrival. And we’ve tracked it. It has been … OK, however not nice. Essentially the most-viewed movies we’ve seen of him on the course have been of him cussing about this or that, reasonably than some {golfing} feat. So to show that narrative — even after the most important season has handed — nonetheless feels necessary.
Melton: It’s a giant win for LIV to see their greatest star lastly break via, however it is a important win for Rahm, too. He hasn’t gained for the reason that 2023 Masters, so getting the monkey off his again should really feel good.
Dimengo: It’s arduous to say Rahm as a result of, nicely, is that this actually up there with a number of the different victories he’s had in his profession? Probably not. Certain, it provides him some validation for signing the large take care of LIV Golf, however the win itself is extra helpful to the league since it might probably now market Rahm as a LIV winner.
Talking of LIV, Joaquin Niemann mentioned he’s “fairly optimistic” that there might be some type of pathway created for LIV golfers to get into majors subsequent 12 months, which wasn’t the case the previous two years. Do you share his optimism?
Zak: I actually share his optimism. However I’d a lot reasonably see a pathway for them again to the PGA Tour, contemplating we are actually 14 months since Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Jay Monahan signed the Framework Settlement in 2023 between the Tour and the Saudi PIF. I do know loads has occurred since then, however that’s way more necessary than a few spots right here and there for LIV gamers within the 2025 PGA Championship.
Melton: Sure, I’d think about there might be a pathway into the majors for LIV gamers as soon as the “merger” particulars get hashed out. Though I’m positive there’ll nonetheless be some complaining from LIV stars about needing extra spots. The sufferer mentality gained’t go away simply.
Dimengo: As soon as we get the (long-awaited) particulars relating to the merger, I’m positive there might be a neater path for the LIV guys to get into majors. What that appears like is anybody’s guess, however the objective ought to all the time be to get essentially the most gifted golfers within the subject.
Jhonattan Vegas gained the 3M Open on Sunday at TPC Twin Cities, besting Max Greyserman by a shot. Whereas the sector for the 3M didn’t comprise a ton of star-power, there have been loads of fascinating storylines specializing in professionals attempting to battle for positioning within the FedEx Cup standings with only one occasion (the Wyndham Championship) remaining. Since solely 70 gamers now make the playoffs, might you argue that it’s really improved the curiosity degree for a few of these late-season tournaments that don’t have a bunch of huge names?
Zak: That’s completely one of many necessary outcomes of adjusting the format for the PGA Tour. In a non-Olympics 12 months, we would have had an excellent stronger subject for the 3M, like when the event benefitted from Justin Thomas coming into in sizzling pursuit of some FedEx Cup factors final 12 months. And past the highest 70, you’ve obtained gamers actually attempting to get into, say, the highest 42 or so, realizing that the 2025 Signature Occasions are on the road for the highest 50 after the primary week of the playoffs as nicely. Gamers take into consideration these things all 12 months lengthy, whether or not they need to admit it or not.
Melton: These late-season occasions could also be extra necessary for the golfers, however I’m not satisfied it makes the informal fan any extra engaged. With the post-major-season burnout, it’s arduous to get hyped about dudes battling to make the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Dimengo: It’s arduous to examine many golf followers sitting inside on a pleasant summer season day deciding to absorb all the 3M Open on TV, however I personally suppose these smaller Tour occasions are enjoyable. They imply a ton to the golfers, particularly those on the perimeter of the FedEx Cup standings, so there’s loads happening — as we witnessed this weekend with such a crowded leaderboard. That’s good for golf.
Because of a new partnership between Pebble Seashore Firm and Youth on Course, Spyglass Hill is now setting apart one tee time a day (4 gamers) for Youth on Course members who can play a world-renowned course that’s usually $495 for simply $5. Now that’s a steal. What’s your favourite worth you’ve stumbled upon throughout your travels?
Zak: That $490 low cost goes to be robust to beat. However I’ll say I’ve by no means had a nasty day at San Francisco’s Presidio Golf Course, which has resident reductions however doesn’t utterly gouge the customer within the course of. You’ll be able to play a twilight spherical in the course of the week for below $60, get some pretty views of the town after which roll proper into city for a late, pretty dinner.
Melton: It’s arduous to beat the greens charges at Bethpage Black for in-state residents (about $75). Enjoying a major-caliber course for below $100 is one heck of a deal.
Dimengo: I as soon as walked right into a bar with a buddy on a Friday throughout a visit to Jap Washington, shared a dialog with a pair different younger guys, requested them the place a very good public golf course can be and ended up getting invited to a free spherical the subsequent day. The course? Gamble Sands. I’d say that’s a fairly good worth, proper?
