Jordan Spieth and Michael Greller
SportsCenter
Hello, associates, and blissful Monday! I’m writing to you all from the media heart on the Players Championship, the place I’ll be posted up all week. I’m excited to be at my third designated occasion of the yr, and much more excited to be working alongside my friends Darren, Dylan and James this week. But earlier than I’m going out and discover all that TPC Sawgrass, we’ve bought a few issues to atone for.
So this SportsCenter industrial isn’t technically new (it’s from 2016), however with all of the chatter about Jordan Spieth and Michael Greller over the weekend, I couldn’t assist however deliver it up. This 30-something-second interplay between Spieth and his caddie completely represents how they’ve been on the course collectively since 2011. Only right here, they’re speaking about mac ‘n’ cheese as a substitute of method pictures.
I’d be remiss to not embrace the ESPN industrial of all ESPN commercials on this section. Please get pleasure from the next, even in the event you’ve seen it 1000’s of occasions already.
Wholesome household moments
Not solely did the Arnold Palmer Invitational have a very good Sunday-afternoon stretch as 5 (!) gamers have been tied for the lead, nevertheless it additionally provided some very good household moments that, because of social media, we will expertise second-hand.
Let’s begin with Rickie Fowler and his daughter, Maya. The 1-year-old was out watching her dad tee it up throughout a follow spherical at Bay Hill when she determined she’d had sufficient (relatable).
Maya ran as much as Fowler (on the tee!), who then introduced her over to his spouse, Allison. I’m personally a large fan of distracting your dad at work, so big props to Maya for this. Any time one thing good, common or unlucky occurs in my life, the very first thing I do is name my dad. And if he doesn’t reply? I’ll name him 10 extra occasions. At 28, this behavior might be extra annoying than cute.
Maya wasn’t the one PGA Tour toddler who shined at Arnie’s place final week. Step apart, Jordan. Sammy is the brand new Spieth on the block, and he’s shortly changing into a PGA Tour social-media favourite. Sammy met up together with his dad on Sunday afternoon at Bay Hill. Jordan had posted a final-round 70, however Sammy had collected a cool stick. Hunter, meet gatherer.
Not solely did Sammy have a stick for his dad upon being reunited, however he then put Greller to work by dropping the ball Jordan handed him. Like father, like son. That one should’ve made the three-time main winner proud. And lastly, the Spieths met up with Justin Thomas, the place Sammy was as soon as once more a hit.
This isn’t the primary time Sammy has shined within the limelight. We mustn’t neglect his Simba second on the 2022 Presidents Cup.
Legendary stuff.
Rory McIlroy
Even the most effective fall down typically, people. I’m certain Howie Day wasn’t pondering of Rory McIlroy when he launched his hit-song Collide in 2003, however nonetheless, it nonetheless applies.
To be truthful, I’m prepared to guess the greens at Bay Hill are fairly slippery. As a yoga novice, I are likely to go down in the very same method after I try chair pose. And to be truthful, I’d most likely journey a lot if I have been enjoying golf in entrance of 1000’s of individuals with extra watching at dwelling.
Worry not, McIlroy’s fall is now behind us. We can as a substitute give attention to Kurt Kitayama’s win and McIlroy congratulating the first-time PGA Tour champion.
Ball-marking greatness
Speaking of Kitayama, how did his birdie putt on the 72nd gap not drop? My solely (working) idea is in order that he may hilariously mark his putt from…a few centimeters away.
I do know, I do know. Kitayama employed the ball-marking transfer so he may set the stage for his first victory. But from a logistics standpoint, it was fairly humorous to see. And I’ve a lot of respect for Kitayama for this transfer.
And shout-out to my coworker, Sean Zak, for sharing these pictures of Kirt Kitayama from highschool. His bio can now learn: Varsity basketball (2009-11), PGA Tour winner (2023).
As an (extraordinarily common) highschool basketball participant myself, these pictures impressed me to dig a little deeper. What may I discover from Kitayama‘s highschool glory days? Honestly, a lot greater than I assumed.
After crunching the numbers right here for a few hours, right here’s what I’ve gathered: Kitayama’s highschool crew was fairly good!
A Smash GC outing
Some pictures are value a thousand phrases. I’m undecided I’ve fairly that many for this Smash GC crew outing to a Florida Panthers sport, however I did wish to at the least share this picture with all of you.
That’s all for now, associates. I’ll be typing every day write-ups from the grounds at TPC Sawgrass, so I’m hoping for an eventful week.
