Bryson after Xander beat him by one stroke on 18.
Rory after Bryson beat him by one stroke on 18.
I don’t want to hear anything else about Bryson being disingenuous or fake from the same golf media that gushes over Rory. Actions speak louder than words.
Been thinking about Bryson this morning.
I think either he or Morikawa is going to win today. Both would be fun, historically meaningful outcomes.
Bryson is in some ways a throwback to how pro golf was 50 or 60 or 70 years ago when it was more of a traveling circus. When great players made money by winning events, yes, but supplemented those small purses with golf as entertainment on the side by hosting clinics, playing matches and doing trick shot exhibitions.
Bryson has become a modern version of this. A pro golfer and a showman. Looking back, this was his destiny, and he’s great at it, compelling even.
He’s the type of performative character who thrives in the theater of the absurd. The medium is different now — YouTube, TikTok etc. — but the showmanship is very much the same.
Finding a stage for that in YouTube and recognizing that championship golf and golf as entertainment are different skills — and that he possesses both! — has made him more interesting, likable and enjoyable on the whole.
I don't believe Scottie is the best player since Tiger's greatest run of dominance ended (around 2008-2010). Not yet anyway.
What I do believe is that among the handful of players who are in that best-since-Tiger conversation -- DJ, Rory, Rahm, Spieth, Brooks, JT, Day, Phil etc. -- he is the most complete.
The physical gifts are obvious -- just get on Data Golf and scroll around for a bit -- and he has so many of them. He's the best iron player in the world, nearly the best driver and (one that goes underrated) somehow also has one of the best short games. In his career, he's a decent to good (but not elite) putter.
Awesome.
But it's everything else that should concern the other best players in the world.
He has become excellent at managing his mental and emotional state and is probably (?) still improving in that area. He has tremendous course discipline, which sets him apart from several on that list above. He is outrageously competitive but not overly tethered to the outcome for many reasons that have been discussed over the last two weeks.
It would be difficult to draw up a better and more comprehensive modern skillset, both on and off the course. Scheffler right now is basically a less maniacal Tiger who is not as good of a putter but seems to have more balance and contentment, which often leads to sustained success in the long term.
Things change. Usually quickly in golf. And he has a bit to accomplish (mostly a few more major wins) until he's the best since Tiger.
But the trajectory right now is certainly historic.
Max Homa on being in contention Masters Sunday:
"I came here with the gratitude and appreciation that I get to do it. I'm happy I get to do it tomorrow. I'm going to remind myself I'm a dog and I'm ready for this moment."