Disruption Has Arrived At 19 As Wolff Joins Woods And Crenshaw As Only Reigning NCAA Individual Champs To Win On Tour

/

Dave Shedloski was on site at the 3M Open where Matthew Wolff exceeded his incredible promise with a thrilling last hole eagle to hold off a big, diverse cast, including Bryson DeChambeau, who also eagled the last.

From Shedloski’s Golf World story, full of answers to your questions about one of the more fascinating and fun PGA Tour finishes in some time.

This was fun and probably true, though Brooks Koepka may take offense to the winning notion:

OSU assistant coach Donnie Darr reminded him just how ready he was in a text Saturday night after Wolff joined Morikawa in Sunday’s final pairing—which in and of itself was rather remarkable. Wolff entered the final round as co-leader with Morikawa and DeChambeau, making him the youngest player ever to hold a 54-hole lead.

“He [Darr] was pretty much telling me, ‘You can do it. Your winning is no different at any level,’ ” Wolff said. “He kind of made a little stat. He said, ‘In the last six months, you probably won more than any single person in this field.’ That kind of hit me. I know how to seal the deal, and I live for moments like that putt or those clutch moments where you have to step up to the stage.”

And while the course didn’t exactly look like my cup of tea and had the impossible task of following coverage from Lahinch, what a start for the 3M Open. Betting this has never happened before:

“Who could have scripted having two of the youngest kids on tour battling for it,” Hollis Cavner, 3M Open executive director, said. “We called the tour and asked them had they ever seen this, with two sponsor’s exemptions in the final group, and they said there’s no way. And then the way it unfolded. Unbelievable.”

Ryan Lavner, who has covered Wolff for GolfChannel.com, assesses the win and the disruptor tag coming to fruition quickly.

David Dusek with what’s in Wolff’s all-Taylor Made bag.

Bill Speros rounds up Wolff’s best comments post-round.

Here are the PGA Tour Entertainment highlight packages, starting with round 4 followed by a Wolff-specific set:

In the final round of the 2019 3M Open, Matthew Wolff wins by one shot over Bryson DeChambeau and Collin Morikawa after sinking a 26-foot eagle putt on No. 18. SUBSCRIBE to PGA TOUR now: http://pgat.us/vBxcZSh The 3M Open will be the first regular PGA TOUR event held in Minnesota in 50 years.

In the final round of the 2019 3M Open, Matthew Wolff won his first PGA TOUR event by one shot after draining a clutch eagle putt from the fringe. SUBSCRIBE to PGA TOUR now: http://pgat.us/vBxcZSh The 3M Open will be the first regular PGA TOUR event held in Minnesota in 50 years.

And the best young imitator I’ve seen so far, a pupil of a fantastic Instagram follow and PGA instructor, Colin McCarthy, named Chad Caldwell.

Video: Royal Portrush's Third and Fourth Holes

/
Screen Shot 2019-07-06 at 9.30.25 PM.png

The simple-looking par-3 third is 174 yards and guarded on the left by a swollen pot bunker and on the right but a tightly-mown hillock. Roll-offs left and in the left-rear probably eliminate many attempts at a run-up shot. The third green tilts right to left.

Things pick up considerable steam at the beautiful par-4 fourth, teeing off over a ravine with out-of-bounds down the right in the form of a property line. Another right-to-left shaped tee shot with bunkers left sets up an approach to a green situated between hillocks. The iron shot also sets up nicely for a right-to-left shot shape.

The 4th is named for Ireland’s first Open Champion and Portrush native son, Fred Daly.

Rahm: “I’m playing definitely the most consistent golf of my career."

/
Screen Shot 2019-07-07 at 8.31.20 PM.png

All sorts of good stuff can be found in Phillip Reid’s Irish Times game story on Jon Rahm’s impressive Dubai Duty Free Irish Open win at magical Lahinch where the crowds came and the course delivered. A huge congratulations to Paul McGinley, the European Tour, Lahinch and Dubai Duty Free for pulling it off.

Reid writes.

By the time he reached the 18th green, he was ready for the coronation and the acclaim of those supporters among the final day crowd of 20,477 who took him to their hearts.

“Every time I come, I feel like part of history is being made, and it’s just a humbling experience to come and play in front of this crowd. The list of winners, Faldo, McIlroy, Olazabal, Seve, the champions at this event, and to put my name on there is really special,” said Rahm.

“I’m playing definitely the most consistent golf of my career. It’s my 11th Top-10 this year, I believe, on both the PGA Tour and European Tour. It’s not doing anything necessarily better or special, really, compared to my first two years before. But I think I’m just a little more level-headed, a little bit more mature, slowly growing up and all that helps. Yeah, just mature, maturing. Still 24, so there’s a lot of growing up to do up to this point and a lot of growing up to do from now on. That’s the main difference in my golf game in this year and years past.”

At 16-1 he’s at a nice price for The Open, very near his other Irish Open win at Portstewart.

A couple of other cool social items, starting with the magnificently captured approach to the blind 4th, aka the Klondyke:

And I’d say the festival vibe McGinley hoped for with the town happened…

Maddon On 2019's Baseballs: "You could have just stamped Titleist on the side of these things."

/
Screen Shot 2019-07-07 at 7.59.07 PM.png

This is not the appropriate time to gripe about the juicing/tinkering/fudging with the baseballs over the last few years. The ones that led to silly-long World Series games, pitchers like Kenley Jansen losing a pitch grip due to a mysterious change in surface, the many fans injured by faster-flying balls now requiring stadiums to extend netting. And I’m not going to point out that the emphasis on launch angle and speed has players hitting balls into the stands harder and faster than ever, leading to severe injuries, longer and more boring games centered around home runs, and the death of small ball.

I also won’t point out that this messing with the ball—size is now in question—likely is some moron’s idea of how to attract a younger audience since home run’s are more social-media friendly. Meanwhile, baseball’s mostly-amazing stadiums sport more empty seats this year.

And since we have plenty of time after The Open to consider all the ways power-pursuing sports have regretted the chase for distance, I’ll resist this opportunity to suggest that golf will never learn a single thing from the this idiotic effort by baseball.

Instead, I’ll just let the disdain of Cubs manager Joe Maddon do the talking regarding what he sees as a smaller ball…though a nice branding moment for Titleist as a noun that made Maddon’s point!



60: If You Thought Robert Rock Was Moving Into Instruction, You Weren't Entirely Wrong

/

From Phillip Reid’s Irish Times game story after Matt Wallace instructor Robert Rock—best known for his hair and a heartbreaking loss in this tournament a decade agao—posted a 60 at Lahinch, the lowest in Irish Open history and a new course record. His putt on 18 just missed for the second 59 in European Tour history, but it’s been his move toward teaching that makes this so shocking:

In truth, Rock’s round came from nowhere. He’s effectively a part-time tour professional these days, sharing his playing workload by coaching Matt Wallace among others, and his best performance so far this season was a tied-25th finish in the British Masters. At 147th in the Race to Dubai and ranked 333rd in the world, few saw this score coming.

Also on the line: three spots in The Open, with several contenders needing to play well to get in, including Cormac Sharvin of Co. Down, who is currently one of three that would entry via the Open Qualifying Series.

Rafa On Links Golf: "You almost have a new, different course every single day"

/
Screen Shot 2019-07-06 at 10.11.20 PM.png

They are set up for a fun finale at Lahinch, with several top players in the hunt, including Rafa Cabrera Bello following a 63. He is one back of Robert Rock (60!) heading into the final round and offered this appreciation of links golf:

“I really like links golf," he said. "I enjoy playing it, even with bad weather, I do embrace the challenge. 

"The fact that golf was invented on links, that's special for me.

"The fact that there's not just one way to play the course or every hole. You almost have a new, different course every single day and it brings out all your imagination around the greens. 

"I really enjoy that and maybe it helps me focus more and perhaps that's why I play all right around here."

A fine player to keep on your Portrush radar’s as well…

Video: Royal Portrush's First And Second Holes

/
Screen Shot 2019-07-06 at 8.57.48 PM.png

To get up to speed on Royal Portush, seen briefly in the 2012 Irish Open and before that, the 1951 Open, the options for flyovers are limited. Without the official Open site posting anything, we at least have this lovely set on Vimeo to check out. They can’t be embedded but I know you can handle clicking the link!

With out of bounds down the right and fairway bunkers, expect players to start with a lot of hybrids and irons on the 416-yard first. The green is elevated with a nice, steep fall-off to add interest. This hole was originally the third hole in H.S. Colt’s renovation of the course but became the first when Portrush’s clubhouse moved closer to today’s course.

The 572-yard second hole plays out in the same direction as the opener before bending left. Cross bunkers and tall, pinching dunes will annoy those who had to wedge out but otherwise this should be a great opportunity for birdie. The bunkerless green is slightly elevated and benched in between dune and a short grass fall off that will lure players to go for the green in two. But a slight miss will leave a tough recovery.

R&A: Terrain Unsuitable For Buggies Cited As Reason For Denying John Daly's Request

/
Screen Shot 2019-07-06 at 11.39.42 AM.png

As with Bethpage Black, carts, aka buggies when we move overseas, are not allowed at any time. As noted by the R&A in squashing John Daly’s request for a cart.

From Alistair Tait’s Golfweek report, that also suggests the R&A had other reasons besides steeper-than-normal dunes:

“We believe that walking the course is an integral part of the Championship and is central to the tradition of links golf which is synonymous with The Open. We must also ensure that, as far as possible, the challenge is the same for all players in the field.

“The terrain at Royal Portrush is not suited to buggies and indeed the club itself does not permit their use. We have a serious concern that some parts of the course, where there are severe slopes and swales, would be inaccessible.”

63: Padraig On Father Time, Knowing How To Get Around A Links

/
Screen Shot 2019-07-04 at 8.39.03 PM.png

After an opening 63 and Lahinch course record, Padraig Harrington spoke at length to reporters at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

From Phillip Reid’s Irish Times game story on what could be, with more stellar play, one of the more fan-friendly wins in a long time:

Links golf is in his DNA and Harrington showcased it with a round that brought back old glories, but aware that it was only one step in the right direction on a journey that doesn’t reach its destination until Sunday. But playing on links again has reinvigorated him. “I know how to work my way around this golf course, links courses, clubbing and things like that, picking the right shot at the right time, what to go for, where to play shots. You know, that’s how you get around. That’s my specialty.

“I just was keen to not waste these three weeks (Irish, Scottish and British Opens) and be thinking, ‘oh, well, I always have next year’. I was kind of thinking, ‘well, maybe I don’t, maybe the Ryder Cup will be in the way next year’. That’s part of it. I’ve said I feel I’ll play this year and have a bit of time out next year (with the captaincy), but I’d better go play.”

If there is any doubt about his popularity in Ireland, Harrington had an audience everywhere he went. Well, almost everywhere.


(Mid-Round) Interview: Rahm On Ireland Golf, How Blind Holes Can Simplify Things

/
Screen Shot 2019-07-04 at 8.30.49 PM.png

Tim Barter’s mid-round interviews for Sky Sports always remind that players respond well to good questions and that they are capable of sharing wisdom mid-round without threat to world peace or rankings points.

Jon Rahm’s comments about links golf and blind holes added to the immensely enjoyable day one proceedings from the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

Rahm’s comment that blind holes simplifying things for the player could be the best reverse thinking and positivity I’ve ever heard from an elite player. Really neat:


Irish Open At Lahinch: Course Setup And Broadcast Notes

/
Screen Shot 2019-07-02 at 8.41.41 PM.png

Brian Keogh at the Irish Golf Desk talked to Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Tournament Director Miguel Vidaor about Lahinch and his course setup options.

In short, Vidaor loves the course and his enthusiasm will only add to your interest in the week. He has no plans to trick up the course, but they have options.

 “If conditions are really calm, we can tuck the pins away and we have some cracking hole locations, like back right on six, long on 13. Nine! We have a 50-yard long green. We have cheeky ones on 10, short ones. We can do all sorts of things.  We can really play with it here.”

Vidaor also notes that the Dell’s left side is just nine paces deep. Old Tom strikes again!

The broadcast times and team, with Golf Channel sending an A-team:

EUROPEAN TOUR

Dubai Duty Free Irish Open

Dates: July 4-7

Venue: Lahinch Golf Club, Lahinch, Ireland

Tournament Airtimes on GOLF Channel (Eastern):

Thursday         5:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Live)

Friday              5:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Live)

Saturday          7 a.m.-Noon (Live) / 3-5:30 p.m. (Replay)

Sunday            7 a.m.-Noon (Live) / 3-5:30 p.m. (Replay) 

Broadcast Notes:

Three spots available into field at 148TH Open: The top-three finishers (in the top-10) not previously qualified for The Open at Royal Portrush later this month will earn an exemption into the field.

Knox defends: Russell Knox defeated Ryan Fox with a birdie on the first playoff hole to claim his second European Tour victory.

Headlining the field: Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Wallace, Ian Poulter, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen, Eddie Pepperell, Tyrrell Hatton and Padraig Harrington.

GOLF Channel Broadcast Team:

Play by Play: Rich Lerner

Analyst: Curt Byrum

Tower: Tom Abbott

On-Course: Jim “Bones” Mackay / Warren Humphreys

Interviews: Jay Townsend

Garrigus: PGA Tour Should Remove Marijuana From Banned Substance List

/

After serving a three-month ban after going over the limit in his medical marijuana use, Robert Garrigus tells Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis that the PGA Tour should consider removing marijuana from its banned substance list because it “doesn’t help you get the ball in the hole.”

Worth listening to if you have an interest in the Tour’s drug policy or the debate over what helps a player and what does not.

Some Packages In The Mail Are Better Than Others: Tiger Gets His Masters Trophy

/
Screen Shot 2019-07-02 at 8.10.51 PM.png

I believe the “in the mail” line was probably tongue-in-cheek since this hopefully arrived via a very nice, secure delivery truck. Or not!

Love box it comes in, too…

Came home to another package in the mail. I think I can find a spot on the shelf for this one. Thanks everyone for your support, and thank you to my friends at @themasters.

85.5k Likes, 1,232 Comments - Tiger Woods (@tigerwoods) on Instagram: "Came home to another package in the mail. I think I can find a spot on the shelf for this one...."

Looking Like A Light Links Season Turnout From World's Best

/
Screen Shot 2019-07-01 at 8.38.13 PM.png

Martin Dempster of The Scotsman says the Irish Open is still a world class event but the absence of top Americans or other top-10 players is a shame and surprising. The Scottish Open features no real big surprises in star power, with the usual suspects (McIlroy, Fowler, Kuchar, Stenson, etc) turning up there to prepare for The Open (and good for them btw).

In comparing the events, he writes:

For the record, the Scottish event boasts the strongest line-up for the second year running, with two top-ten players and 17 from the world’s top 50, compared to none and 12 respectively in Ireland.

However, what actually matters most is that two world-class events are about to be staged in the build-up to the final major of the season and most of the European Tour’s biggest names are teeing up in one or the other

Maybe the players were spoiled (and spent) by that charming stop in Saudia Arabia earlier this year?

Just 12 and 17 of the top 50 for two Rolex Series purses in the build-up to the final major suggests the world of golf may have too many lucrative possibilities in too short a time span.

The European Tour’s five things to know about the Irish Open, including Niall Horan turning up for the pro-am and more.

Thankfully, the setting is the star this week. Richard Fitzpatrick on the stage that is Lahinch while Brian Keogh at the Irish Golf Desk details the interesting (and well-paying) Monday qualifier for the Irish. He also endorses the setup at the Dell:

The Dell is a throwback to golf from another era with players forced to hit to a green completely hidden between two huge dunes — a hole almost untouched since it was laid out by Old Tom Morris more than 125 years ago

Fans will be able to watch the action from a grandstand erected in front of a home on the Liscannor Road. 

And with a whitewashed stone on top of a dune the only indication of the line to the pin, both spectators and the players will be able to see where the ball lands on a big video screen.

We previewed and discussed on Morning Drive.

The setting set by the European Tour: