JT’s struggles, Jay Monahan’s return and slow play

Check in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most well liked subjects within the sport, and be part of the dialog by tweeting us @golf_com. This week, we talk about Justin Thomas’ continued struggles, Jay Monahan’s return from a monthlong absence from the PGA Tour, a slow-play controversy on the LPGA Tour and extra.

1. Jay Monahan returned from a monthlong absence atop the PGA Tour and introduced a flurry of reports concerning the PIF merger, the Tour and the long run. What was probably the most attention-grabbing takeaway you learn?

James Colgan, information and options editor (@jamescolgan26): I’m tremendous intrigued by the addition of Raine Group’s Colin Neville as a “special advisor” on the merger. Neville was one of many first figures concerned with the creation of the PGL, which later turned LIV. Now he’s working for the Tour in serving to to form the way forward for staff golf. Maybe it doesn’t sound like an enormous deal from the skin, however it certain feels that solution to me.

Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): I’m fairly intrigued by the duty pressure that can develop “potential pathways back to the PGA Tour for LIV players who wish to reapply in the future.” I believe everybody needs to see golf reunified, and I’m to see what that can doubtlessly appear like.

Claire Rogers, senior social media supervisor (@kclairerogers): I’m additionally very within the job pressure, particularly after Phil Mickelson tweeted that is regard to it: “Not a single player on LIV wants to play PGA Tour. It would require a public apology and restitution to LIV players for paying millions to Clout media to disparage all of us. A better topic is future sanctions for the many players who now come to LIV.” I’m so so curious as to how all of it will unfold.

2. Monahan additionally confirmed the Tour received’t help the USGA’s proposed Modified Local Rule on the golf-ball rollback. “Although there has been some level of support for limiting future increases, there is widespread and significant belief the proposed Modified Local rule is not warranted and is not in the best interest of the game,” he stated. What does this imply for the proposed rollback going ahead?

Colgan: It means the PGA Tour merely isn’t working from a place of energy with gamers proper now, and it’s displaying. The Tour’s determination was clearly pushed by a short-sighted need to placate gamers forward of a doable “definitive agreement” with the PIF; not the long-term finest pursuits of the game. The irony of it, although, is that Augusta National falling into line with the governing our bodies would give these competing on the PGA Tour no selection however to play a rolled-back ball, lest they recreation a brand new ball solely for the majors.

Melton: James is strictly proper. The Tour has used all of its leverage with gamers — and they comprehend it. I’d count on heaps extra catering to gamers within the coming months as Monahan and Co. try to fix the relationships they strained throughout this course of. 

Rogers: If the MLR doesn’t have help from gamers, and the Tour isn’t going for it, then who’s? The leaders of the USGA and R&A? I’d say this factor is useless within the water, aside from the truth that 2023 proved that the majors are actually in command of golf lately. It’s actually going to rely on what Augusta National decides.

3. Justin Thomas missed the reduce on the 3M Open, a event he added to help a late push to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs. He’s nonetheless exterior the highest 70 with yet one more late addition, the regular-season ending Wyndham Championship, up subsequent. If he fails to qualify, he received’t have any begins remaining earlier than Ryder Cup auto qualifiers and captain’s picks are finalized. If Thomas has one other underwhelming displaying on the Wyndham, is there an opportunity these late additions to his schedule might do extra hurt to his possibilities than good?

Colgan: Thomas’ spot on the U.S. staff was in a precarious place the second he shot 82 on Thursday on the Open Championship. If he misses the reduce in two of the weakest Tour fields of the yr to overlook out on the FedEx Cup Playoffs, the hurt can be solely self-inflicted. His taking part in schedule has nothing to do with that.

Melton: Not certain we will level to the schedule as a legitimate purpose for JT’s precarious Ryder Cup place. He’s simply been taking part in flat-out dangerous golf this yr. After the catastrophe at Hoylake, he just about had so as to add these occasions to his schedule. His MC final week is simply one other poor efficiency in a protracted checklist of them in 2023.

Rogers: JT fired an 81 on Friday at LACC and an 82 on Thursday at Royal Liverpool earlier than heading again to the U.S., solely to overlook the reduce on the 3M Open. I’m unhappy to say I don’t assume we’ll be seeing him on the Ryder Cup this yr. Then once more, I really like a very good persona rent so wouldn’t hate to see him in Rome.

4. Celine Boutier claimed her first main title and turned the first-ever French golfer to win the Evian Championship, lapping the sphere by six. How did she make this one look really easy?

Colgan: A bit little bit of residence cooking by no means damage. I’m certain taking part in in entrance of her countrymen and girls was all of the increase she wanted to outright lap the sphere, and good on her for it.

Melton: When you’re sizzling, you’re sizzling. Brian Harman confirmed us as a lot at Royal Liverpool, and Boutier caught a few of that lightning in a bottle and took it to France. The good vibes of competing at residence didn’t damage, both.

Rogers: Colgan is correct. It was superior to see tons of of followers screaming Boutier’s identify as she got here down the 18th fairway on Sunday, and I believe figuring out that everybody there was on her facet should’ve helped. That plus some insanely good golf.

5. Speaking of the Evian, Carlota Ciganda was disqualified when she refused to signal her scorecard after a slow-play penalty, and she later took to social media to plead her case, saying she was penalized for taking too lengthy on a 10-footer on the ultimate gap (when the group behind wasn’t even on the tee on the par-5). Ciganda, who has been dinged for slow play earlier than, added: “I wish everyone gets treated the same and they don’t pick on the same players all the time!” Should there be some leeway given to gamers if, like Ciganda stated, they aren’t at present holding anybody up? And do you assume she has some extent about specializing in sure gamers?

Colgan: When I used to be rising up, my dad and mom had a favourite saying: “Reputation is earned in drops and lost in buckets.” If Ciganda doesn’t need additional consideration for her slow play, I like to recommend she take a protracted look within the mirror. And as for the asinine suggestion it isn’t slow play if isn’t holding one other participant up, let’s not give oxygen to dangerous concepts.

Melton: I sympathize with Carlota’s frustrations as she’s been on the receiving finish of a pair pricey slow-play penalties, however it’s about time she does some self reflection. She’s lengthy been generally known as one of many slowest gamers on the LPGA Tour, so it’s to be anticipated she’s beneath the microscope. It’s unlucky that her slow play has price her so dearly, however I’m glad the LPGA is severe about policing pace-of-play points. 

Rogers: Let’s evaluate the difficulty of slow play on tour to dashing on the freeway. Just as a result of we all do it doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t nonetheless get pulled over. If you don’t wish to get pulled over, don’t pace! Same factor goes for slow play, particularly when the participant has been dinged earlier than. Also, I believe the concept that you shouldn’t be penalized for slow play for those who aren’t holding anybody up is a really dangerous one.