Scheffler’s domination, PGA Tour-Saudi meeting

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

1. Days after Scottie Scheffler gained the Players 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 proficient contenders. He mentioned it relies upon. What say you?

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

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 successful outdoors 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 all the sport. Scottie has that form of expertise, and it positive 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 tougher than different sports activities, since as a substitute of taking part in one participant or crew at a time, it’s a must to beat 70, 100, 156, and so forth. gamers each week to place up the sorts of run Tiger had. That permits followers to really respect what’s going on. If Scheffler wins 5 – 6 occasions this 12 months, together with a significant, curiosity in him — and the sport — will spike.

2. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan advised gamers by way of textual content {that a} meeting between PGA Tour Enterprises participant administrators and Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan was “constructive” however supplied few different particulars. If you have been a type of participant administrators at that meeting 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 final 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 come back with assurances from Yasir that this two-tours nonsense is completed with.

Hirsh: Speaking from a participant’s perspective, I need assurances that they are going to nonetheless management the Tour’s decision-making. The settlement with the PIF was so stunning for a large number of various causes, however essentially the most jarring was that the gamers had no thought it was taking place. The PGA Tour is meant to be a member’s group and the members ought to be answerable for the decision-making. Now that the SSG has invested closely within the Tour, how a lot will an additional 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 concerning the tournaments he wasn’t capable of defend his titles at and what it was like watching the Players 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 positive feels like he does. Rahm has all the time been a considerate participant who cares loads in regards to the sport’s historical past. But he’s additionally been within the highlight on the PGA Tour as one of the vital sought-after interviews, to not point out a fan favourite, for a number of years. As such an entertaining character, it have to 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 have to be extra enticing than ever for him.

Melton: Rahm’s aggressive fireplace 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 exhausting watching an occasion just like the Players come right down to the wire and to not be concerned. There are some issues cash can’t purchase. 

Hirsh: Yeah, you may inform Rahm isn’t as completely happy along with his transfer to LIV Golf as among the others given a few of his outbursts. Perhaps that’s as a result of he thinks he ought to have already gained 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 positive appeared like he was shocked when he wasn’t capable of play in any of the early-season occasions, which means he may need been bought on an settlement being nearer than it was.

4. Kevin Streelman unveiled a singular ball mark on the Valspar Championship that paid huge dividends. What’s a gadget, coaching assist or gizmo that’s most helped your sport through the years?

Marksbury: I don’t use plenty of swing aids, however one factor that has all the time helped me with the brief sport 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 that you must 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 first of COVID and I really like utilizing it to assist exaggerate the feels I need to have in the course of the golf swing.

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

Marksbury: Rahm’s menu appears to be like completely unimaginable. I can’t even pronounce among the gadgets. But I’m a easy gal. Tiger’s cheeseburger and milkshake combo is the final word meal perpetually! 

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

Hirsh: Big fan of Rahm’s menu, and I’m a fairly choosy eater, in order that’s saying one thing. For my menu, I feel 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 12 months!

Though, I feel it will be against the law if I didn’t put a Philly twist on considered one of these and add mini cheesesteaks and pretzels to the tapas.