NEW: Asked Tom Lehman what his policy would be toward LIV players if they wanted to return to @PGATOUR.
In a chat for @Skratch and the pod he said they would come back with “no status whatsoever” and get in line “behind the Tour School and you start at the bottom of the barrel.”
“Or better yet send them to Korn Ferry Tour.” For them “to leave and just come back and play at any point is just wrong. Totally against that…I think that’s a terrible idea to let the guys who were not loyal to the PGA Tour leave and just walk back with nothing but a slap on the wrist, and then a let’s go boys. I think that’s just wrong.
“Start over, earn your way back. That’s what I would do.”
Strong opinion from @championstour star.
Haven’t won a golf bet since the players (2 on LPGA tho, nbd), so I decided I’m gonna get the beginner bump, put out picks, and win a bet this week.
Aberg 22
Cantlay 32.5 (stupid)
Gotterup 62
Woodland 85
Scottie’s probably gonna win by a half dozen. Retiring if JT wins.
Haven’t won a golf bet since the players (2 on LPGA tho, nbd), so I decided I’m gonna get the beginner bump, put out picks, and win a bet this week.
Aberg 22
Cantlay 32.5 (stupid)
Gotterup 62
Woodland 85
Scottie’s probably gonna win by a half dozen. Retiring if JT wins.
Slightly hot take... the Aronimink set-up stinks.
I'm not usually one to wade in on how a course is set-up but I think the data suggests this isn't a great set-up.
Let me explain.
I wrote a piece earlier in the week (see reply below) looking at the data from past events at Aronimink. Yes, they were a long time ago and the 2018 BMW played very wet, but all three events were essentially putting competitions.
▫️In 2018, Keegan led the field in putting and won. Of the players who finished in the top 10, eight ranked in the top 10 on the greens.
▫️In 2011, Nick Watney led the field in putting and won. The top five on the leaderboard that week all ranked in the top 15 putting.
▫️In 2010, Ryan Moore led the field in putting and finished one back of Justin Rose (4th in putting). 5 of the top 6 players on the leaderboard ranked inside 16th or better in putting.
That year, of the top 6 players in strokes gained approach, two missed the cut and none finished in the top 15.
The strategy at Aronimink appears to be, get it on the green, then try not to three-putt.
Potgeiter hit 5 of 14 fairways and ranked 63rd in proximity on his approaches, yet he is co-leader after 18 holes.
Of the 7 players tied for the lead:
• 5 are in the top 15 in putting
• 2 are in the top 15 in driving
• 1 is in the top 15 in approach
• 1 is in the top 15 around the green
My point is this, what do we consider both entertaining and valued at majors? Is it players avoiding three putts, or being rewarded for high-quality tee shots (Open courses), executing precise approach play (think Augusta and US Opens) and the ability to show creativity and skill around the greens (again, Augusta)?
None of the top 6 players at this year's Masters finished in the top 15 in putting. Was that an entertaining watch? What was the challenge that week?
I know, it's early in the tournament and yes, players that putt well "tend" to score well. But if this plays out for the week, like it has the last three times Aronimink has hosted a Tour event, I fear it could be a flat week.
For the record, I hope it's not.
McCarthy just made the cut at last week's Truist Championship at Quail Hollow.
He's now made the cut in 5 of his last 6 events.
And aside from 1 bad event at the Valero Texas Open, McCarthy's iron play has been better this year...
NEW: Most-watched teams in college football through Week 10, per Nielsen📺
1. Alabama – 7.91 million
2. Georgia – 7.63 million
3. Tennessee - 7.03 million
4. Texas – 6.48 million
Top 10: https://t.co/9u7WCC6uxH
Islam has been out of action from shoulder surgery for over a year. However, if he defeats Ilia Topuria on the White House lawn in June, I also second that Islam Makhachev is the pound for pound king.
@buddyvandood23 There’s nothing thats gonna change your mind or mine. Imma flip the cubs on and hope it takes longer than 3 pitches to piss me off today.