Scheffler’s domination, PGA Tour-Saudi assembly

Test in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most popular matters within the sport, and be part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week we talk about Scottie Scheffler’s dominance, the PGA Tour’s newest PIF assembly, Jon Rahm’s Masters Champions Dinner menu and extra.

1. Days after Scottie Scheffler received the Gamers for his second straight victory, Justin Thomas was requested if professional golf could be as higher with one dominant participant versus a core group of gifted contenders. He stated it relies upon. What say you?

Jessica Marksbury, senior editor (@jess_marksbury): I agree with Justin. It DOES rely. The Tiger period was superb after all since you had a dominant participant breaking beforehand unthinkable data, however you possibly can additionally argue that there was a fairly robust roster beneath him to maintain issues attention-grabbing; Phil, Ernie, Sergio, and so forth. A mixture of these two is the true very best.

Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): Dominance in golf is completely different than dominance in different sports activities. Dynasties just like the 90s Yankees, 2000s Patriots and 2010s Alabama are usually loathed for his or her fixed profitable exterior of their very own fanbases. In golf, a dominant participant is well known (see: Tiger, Jack, and so forth.). Golf may use one other famous person who is available in and asserts dominance over your entire sport. Scottie has that form of expertise, and it certain could be enjoyable to look at — and good for the game at massive.

Jack Hirsh, assistant editor (@JR_HIRSHey): Zephyr hits the nail on the pinnacle right here. I’ll add that dominance in golf is way more durable than different sports activities, since as a substitute of enjoying one participant or staff at a time, you need to beat 70, 100, 156, and so forth. gamers each week to place up the sorts of run Tiger had. That enables followers to actually respect what’s going on. If Scheffler wins 5 – 6 occasions this yr, together with a significant, curiosity in him — and the sport — will spike.

2. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan informed gamers by way of textual content {that a} assembly between PGA Tour Enterprises participant administrators and Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan was “constructive” however offered few different particulars. When you have been a type of participant administrators at that assembly and closely invested within the Tour’s future, what’s crucial query you’d need answered from Al-Rumayyan?

Marksbury: I might need to know, does your imaginative and prescient for professional golf embrace a number of excursions, or is the last word intention to converge into one? And, who will get to play? Is there assured cash for everybody? How a lot management do I’ve over my schedule?

Melton: How does he plan to assist unify the sport? Having a number of excursions isn’t good for anybody, save for the LIV stars’ accountants. If this PIF deal is gonna occur, it wants to return with assurances from Yasir that this two-tours nonsense is finished with.

Hirsh: Talking from a participant’s perspective, I would like assurances that they may nonetheless management the Tour’s decision-making. The settlement with the PIF was so surprising for a large number of various causes, however essentially the most jarring was that the gamers had no concept it was taking place. The PGA Tour is meant to be a member’s group and the members ought to be accountable for the decision-making. Now that the SSG has invested closely within the Tour, how a lot will an extra funding by the PIF dilute the members’ management?

3. In a press convention after Jon Rahm launched his Masters Champions Dinner menu, the 2023 Masters champ went into surprisingly nice element relating to the tournaments he wasn’t in a position to defend his titles at and what it was like watching the Gamers Championship unfold on TV. Do you sense Rahm misses the Tour greater than a few of his LIV friends? Or has he simply been extra open to explaining how life has modified for him since?

Marksbury: It certain appears like he does. Rahm has at all times been a considerate participant who cares loads in regards to the recreation’s historical past. However he’s additionally been within the highlight on the PGA Tour as one of the crucial sought-after interviews, to not point out a fan favourite, for a number of years. As such an entertaining persona, it should be jarring to now play for restricted galleries and have a a lot smaller media presence. I’d think about the chance to carry out on the majors should be extra enticing than ever for him.

Melton: Rahm’s aggressive hearth burns hotter than simply about any golfer on the earth, and competing in 54-hole occasions in entrance of only a few followers doesn’t appear to be it satisfies that cut-throat mentality. It’s gotta be laborious watching an occasion just like the Gamers come all the way down to the wire and to not be concerned. There are some issues cash can’t purchase. 

Hirsh: Yeah, you possibly can inform Rahm isn’t as completely happy along with his transfer to LIV Golf as among the others given a few of his outbursts. Maybe that’s as a result of he thinks he ought to have already received a LIV occasion already when the expertise pool is likely to be higher than he anticipated now. I additionally suppose he foresaw the trail again to PGA Tour membership being clearer by now than it’s. It certain appeared like he was shocked when he wasn’t in a position to play in any of the early-season occasions, which means he may need been offered on an settlement being nearer than it was.

4. Okevin Streelman unveiled a novel ball mark on the Valspar Championship that paid massive dividends. What’s a gadget, coaching support or gizmo that’s most helped your recreation over time?

Marksbury: I don’t use plenty of swing aids, however one factor that has at all times helped me with the quick recreation is the towel drill. Put a towel below your armpits and swing again and thru, with out letting the towel slip out. It reinforces the connection you’ll want to have between the arms and physique all through the swing.

Melton: I’ve been loving the ProSENDR of late. Helps promote correct wrist construction and has actually helped my ball putting with the irons.

Hirsh: Jess, I LOVE the towel drill! I obtained a Tour Striker PlaneMate at the beginning of COVID and I like utilizing it to assist exaggerate the feels I need to have through the golf swing.

5. Talking of Rahm’s Masters Champions Dinner menu, what did you consider it? And, extra importantly, you simply received the Masters. Congrats! Now, what are you serving?

Marksbury: Rahm’s menu appears completely unimaginable. I can’t even pronounce among the objects. However I’m a easy gal. Tiger’s cheeseburger and milkshake combo is the last word meal endlessly! 

Melton: I’m a Texas man, so it’s gotta be a barbeque, proper? Robust to beat that.

Hirsh: Massive fan of Rahm’s menu, and I’m a fairly choosy eater, in order that’s saying one thing. For my menu, I believe I’d take among the better of the final three Champions dinner menus. I’d take Rahm’s tapas, Hideki Matsuyama’s Japanese Waygu Ribeye (I’ve by no means had Waygu!) and Scheffler’s skillet cookie from final yr!

Although, I believe it could be a criminal offense if I didn’t put a Philly twist on considered one of these and add mini cheesesteaks and pretzels to the tapas.