Forgotten golf moments of 2023, NBC analyst tryouts

Check in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most well liked matters within the sport, and be part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we talk about forgotten moments of 2023, NBC analyst tryouts and extra.

1. As we close to the top of the 2023 calendar yr, GOLF.com has began its annual countdown of the most important moments of the yr. Of course, we received’t argue that any occasion was greater than the PGA Tour/DP World Tour/Saudi PIF merger, however what’s the semi-forgotten story that didn’t obtain as a lot publicity because it ought to have?

Josh Sens, senior author (@joshsens): Allegations by Billy Walters that Phil Mickelson tried to wager on the Ryder Cup acquired rather a lot of buzz, then light, solely to be adopted by gambling-related suspensions in opposition to two lesser-name Tour professionals. These don’t quantity to single one-and-done headlines in 2023 a lot as they level to a longer-simmering story concerning the place of playing in professional golf and the place it’d lead. This previous yr alone introduced match-fixing scandals in tennis, snooker and high-level European soccer. This February, for the primary time, the Waste Management Open could have an on-site sportsbook. Should make for some further leisure at an already wild occasion. But because the Tour tightens its embrace of playing, it’s naive to suppose that the sport is resistant to points different sports activities have confronted. 

Ryan Barath, gear editor (@rdsbarath): As a gear man, I’ve to say that the brand new golf-ball guidelines have to be mentioned in larger element and higher defined to common golfers, particularly in relation to the potential distance losses which are being thrown round. In many instances, these new rules may assist rather a lot of golfers discover extra fairways and truly hit the ball farther, and rather a lot of that dialogue was misplaced within the discourse surrounding the USGA and R&A making an attempt to “make the game harder” for common gamers.

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): Really good solutions right here. GOLF.com counting down the highest tales of the yr is an annual custom, but it surely’s loopy {that a} golf-ball rollback AND Jon Rahm signing with LIV aren’t even the most important tales of the previous 12 months. You may even add a weird few days on the Ryder Cup to that checklist, too. Here’s my contribution: Remember Teegate? When Patrick Reed flicked a tee towards Rory on the Dubai Desert Classic final January? That led to some fantastic post-tee-flicking feedback, like Reed calling Rory “an immature little child” and Rory telling the world he was subpoenaed by Reed’s lawyer on the McIlroy family on Christmas Eve. Man, what a technique to kick off 2023 that story was.

2. What was your favourite main second — males’s or ladies’s — from the previous yr?

Sens: Brian Harman’s gritty play on the Open Championship wasn’t a TV-ratings bonanza. But at a time when distance looms so giant within the sport, and plenty of of one of the best gamers look constructed for the gridiron, it was a refreshing win for the scrappy little man. And a reminder of the good equalizing parts in golf. 

Barath: As a lot as I agree with Josh’s take that Harmon was a compelling winner, I feel all the Saturday and Sunday of the U.S. Open had been my favourite days watching golf all yr. There was simply a lot happening amongst Rickie, Rory and Scheffler — together with the good play from the eventual winner, Wyndham Clark — that it was exhausting to look away.

Berhow: It’s exhausting to beat the U.S. Open at LACC. McIlroy charging and making an attempt to finish his main droop, and a fan favourite in Rickie Fowler making an attempt to nab his first large one. Clark struggled just a little down the stretch however completed it off with some grit. It was nice TV.

3. According to Front Office Sports, NBC Sports plans to rotate a number of analysts within the coming months as a substitute of hiring a single substitute for Paul Azinger, whose contract was not renewed. Brad Faxon, Justin Leonard, Kevin Kisner and Brandel Chamblee are among the many names who’ve been rumored to get a shot within the chair. What are your ideas on the “tryout”? And is there a front-runner right here?

Sens: It appears odd to show a job search right into a public spectacle. I suppose it generates extra chatter, however I’m undecided the upside outweighs the weirdness. Is this a seek for one of the best candidate? Or a recognition contest? Isn’t this why there are display exams? As for a front-runner, I feel Chamblee is simply concerning the smartest and most fascinating commentator in golf. But I personally like him within the position he’s in— weighing in on a variety of matters and sometimes going deep on them. I’m undecided the lead analyst position within the tower lends itself as nicely to that. Word is Kevin Kisner could be very humorous. That could be a welcome addition to a broadcast that’s sorely missing in humor. 

Barath: I echo Josh in probably not understanding the aim of this train, particularly contemplating that the overall golf viewers thrives on familiarity. Having a rotating forged of characters may actually backfire for NBC and make for some uncomfortable conditions on stay TV since everybody has their very own rhythm when calling these items. But then again, it does give them the chance to get suggestions — particularly from social media — from an viewers that tends to be fairly exhausting on these within the sales space. 

Berhow: Our James Colgan did an ideal job breaking all of this down right here, however as he explains, this primarily provides the viewers an opportunity to be in on the choice. It’s like American Idol. It looks as if an odd determination to make it so public, however perhaps that’s solely the purpose. I feel Faxon could be nice right here. Brandel may be too, however as Sens stated, it’s exhausting to image him doing one thing totally different than his present analyst position, which he does so nicely already. 

4. For the primary time in a decade, Q-School returned to supply a direct path to the PGA Tour. On Monday, 5 gamers picked up their Tour playing cards and 40 extra earned Korn Ferry Tour standing. Do you just like the return of Q School sending gamers on to the large present? Would you modify something?

Sens: Love the strain and the tales that Q-School produces. Great to have it again. No adjustments right here. 

Barath: I’m blissful to see it again and excited for all of the storylines that it’s going to produce sooner or later. Golf has traditionally been a meritocracy and Q-School is the best divider of those that present up when it actually counts.

Berhow: For how complicated the Tour’s precedence rankings, totally different statuses and playoff format could be for many followers, that is the type of simplicity I like: end within the prime 5 and snag a Tour card. Great to have it again.

5. Happy holidays! What’s one of the best golf reward you ever obtained?

Sens: Scout’s honor, I’ve by no means obtained any devices or gear or attire in my vacation stocking. But my spouse routinely tells me: Don’t fear about dinner or the dishes or strolling the canine — exit and play some golf; I do know you like it. To my thoughts, that’s one of the best sort of golf reward. 

Barath: Like rather a lot of golfers, I are inclined to keep away from any sort of golfy reward since I’ve greater than my fair proportion of goodies already, however one of essentially the most considerate golf items I ever obtained was a set of Seamus headcovers made with County of Antrim tartan, which is the place my grandfather was born in Ireland. They’re a easy reminder of the place I come from and one thing I like.

Berhow: As odd because it sounds, a yard sport named Yolf was one of a very powerful issues I ever obtained. It was only a bunch of large targets you chip to within the yard, but it surely was sufficient to get me outdoors and working towards and having fun with the sport. That’s the way it all begins. My son is 3 so he’s not going to learn this, however I’m hoping a Gator Golf he will get this yr helps get him excited as nicely.

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