Golf’s stunning pattern, LIV’s subsequent query

Welcome again to the Monday End, the place this week brings the exceptional switch of energy from a controversial administration. That’s proper, people — LIV Golf has named a brand new CEO. To the information…

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GOLF STUFF I LIKE

I spent a while this week studying concerning the ban (and un-ban) of TikTok, which led me down a rabbit gap of how we as a folks spend our time. A fast abstract: younger TikTok customers within the U.S. spend greater than an hour per day on the app, which is simply the tip of the iceberg relating to how a lot time we as a individuals are spending on social media; by one research, American children and youngsters spend greater than 30 p.c of their waking hours on their telephones. This comes at a time after we are spending extra time alone than ever earlier than, making fewer associates, seeing our associates much less often. It’s an interesting and bleak outlook on the way forward for humanity, the place we will join immediately and consistently and so we by no means actually do.

It’s some small consolation, then, to see a pattern from our little world that flies within the face of that information. The Nationwide Golf Basis launched its State of the Trade report (price your time) over the weekend, which included some eye-popping numbers. Greater than 28 million Individuals performed conventional “green-grass” golf in 2024, marking the seventh-consecutive annual improve. Whenever you embody off-course golf (suppose TopGolf, they outline this as “with an actual ball, actual membership and full swing) that quantity jumps to over 47 million, a 38-percent leap from 2019.

There’s extra golf course growth occurring than anytime since 2011. There are the fewest course closings in 20 years. Folks see golf in a much more constructive mild. The sport is increasing to new locations and new folks. Taken all collectively, we’re in one thing of a golden age for golf.

Why’s that so thrilling? As a result of golf takes a very long time. It requires you to be exterior. It’s typically performed with different folks. It entails bodily train. It checks your persistence — and your consideration span. It’s laborious. And should you’re enjoying golf you’re a lot much less more likely to be in your telephone. In some unspecified time in the future within the close to future I’ll dive deeper into this topic and the way golf could also be an antidote to the issues we do however want we didn’t, the way it pertains to happiness, success, satisfaction and the methods we spend our time. However for now I’ll simply say that the extra those who play golf, the higher.

That’s golf stuff I like.

(However yeah, when this results in six-hour public-course rounds on weekends, I’m much less excited concerning the pattern. Let’s maintain engaged on that, too.)

(Additionally, my take? Ban all of it! Besides, in fact, for the Monday End. The one moral web consumption. Again to the column.)

WINNERS

Who gained the week?

Sepp Straka gained the American Specific in Palm Springs, leaping inside the highest 20 on the planet together with his third victory on the PGA Tour.

“I like Kirby Good‘s quote about being the hunter and never the hunted no matter the place you’re within the sport, within the event,” mentioned Straka, who entered Sunday with a four-shot lead. “I sort of felt that manner, I used to be sort of simply making an attempt to remain aggressive to my spots, my targets have been fairly conservative, however I used to be making an attempt to make aggressive swings to [them].”

Tyrrell Hatton gained the Dubai Desert Basic, the newest in a exceptional stretch of DP World Tour golf; he’s completed T10-win-2-6-win in his 5 begins for the reason that finish of LIV’s 2024 season. He was considerate in his winner’s press convention about his bounce to LIV and his need to maintain enjoying DP World Tour occasions in addition to qualifying for the Ryder Cup; as he and fellow LIV execs sit in enchantment limbo they’re banned from the PGA Tour however basically capable of have their cake and eat it on the European circuit.

“Making that call to maneuver over to LIV was actually troublesome and one which I didn’t take frivolously. It was per week off after being right here, and I truthfully hated that week to be sincere,” Hatton mentioned. “It’s been a [long pause] properly, from watching the occasion as a child, it simply makes these occasions that rather more particular and to be part of them, and I like enjoying on the DP World Tour, and I really feel like though I’ve moved over to LIV that I’ve nonetheless proven the dedication that I wish to play.”

Ernie Els gained the Mitsubishi Electrical Championship at Hualalai Golf Course on Hawaii, his seventh PGA Tour Champions victory, in what he known as “principally per week’s vacation with a golf event.” Not a foul technique to stay.

And Justin Hastings of the Cayman Islands gained the Latin America Novice Championship on Saturday night time after a marathon 36-hole day at Pilar Golf Membership in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  

With the win, the 21-year-old will grow to be the primary participant from the Cayman Islands to compete within the U.S. Open and the second to compete within the Masters and the Open after Aaron Jarvis — who additionally gained the LAAC — competed at Augusta Nationwide and the Outdated Course in 2022.

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NOT-WINNERS

These guys are good, too.

Justin Thomas could not have gained in a pair years however he’s actually rounding into kind; he completed solo second on the AmEx and now has three podium finishes in his final 4 begins, together with the Hero.

“I performed properly. I imply, I had an opportunity, it wasn’t clearly an incredible one on the again 9, however I used to be pleased with myself, I did what I wanted to do on the entrance 9 at the moment and at the least be making some noise and sort of shifting up the leaderboard,” Thomas mentioned.

Jason Day completed T3, his first step onto the rostrum since ending T2 on the 2023 Open.

“It’s been some time since I’ve been in rivalry like that, so it’s good to have the ability to stand there and hit a number of the pictures that I did realizing that, okay, underneath the pump you continue to received some actually good things in there, let’s simply sort of construct on that going ahead.”

Shoutouts, too, to Justin Decrease (T3), Patrick Cantlay (T5), Charley Hoffman (T5) in addition to Camilo Villegas (T7). And although 17-year-old newly minted professional Blades Brown stumbled down the stretch to overlook the 54-hole minimize, his Friday 64 had the golf world rightfully on discover.

“It was a blast competing on the PGA Tour. Sadly, I wasn’t capable of convert coming down the stretch, however, I imply, a number of follow,” Brown mentioned. “I’m glad I’m doing it proper now, that manner I can be taught. My dad at all times says, ‘You win otherwise you be taught,’ and I’m undoubtedly going to be taught from this expertise.”

SHORT HITTERS

5 bits of golf information.

“I feel, sadly, there’s been a bit bit, probably a bit an excessive amount of unhealthy blood between Greg [Norman] and possibly the governing our bodies, and to have any person exterior of that may assist the state of affairs,” mentioned LIV main man Jon Rahm of the brand new LIV CEO rent.

2. The Genesis Invitational is not going to be held at Riviera this 12 months; given the devastation of fires that got here inside blocks of the golf course, the PGA Tour introduced it could be held on the identical schedule however in a unique location. Rick Gehman of CBS Sports activities reported that Torrey Pines — which additionally hosts this week’s Farmers Insurance coverage Open — is anticipated to be introduced because the substitute web site.

3. A couple of notable WDs have been stacking up on the PGA Tour: World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler didn’t play this week’s AmEx and is now questionable for subsequent week’s AT&T Pebble Seashore Professional-Am whereas World No. 2 Xander Schauffele withdrew from the AmEx and didn’t join the Farmers, both. World No. 5 Collin Morikawa additionally withdrew from the Farmers, as did Akshay Bhatia (plus Nicolai Hojgaard and Mackenzie Hughes, if we actually wish to go deep). We’re nonetheless hoping to see Scheffler, Schauffele and World No. 3 Rory McIlroy at Pebble, which the Monday End is now denoting the start of the PGA Tour season.

4. Tiger Woods is extending his golf-ball take care of Bridgestone. Woods first signed with Bridgestone in December 2016 after Nike left the hard-goods enterprise — however Woods later confirmed that Bridgestone had been manufacturing his golf balls for many years. Rickie Fowler is altering golf balls, too; his take care of TaylorMade ran out and he’s at present enjoying Titleist. (Plus a prototype Cobra 2-wood.)

5. Tom McKibbin completed T6 in Dubai — one shot behind McIlroy — as rumors proceed to swirl connecting him with an open LIV spot. McKibbin is a terrific younger expertise who had earned his PGA Tour card for 2025 after ending inside the highest 20 on the DP World Tour in 2024. He’s additionally a good friend of McIlroy’s and grew up enjoying at Holywood, McIlroy’s house membership. Ought to his signing grow to be finalized it could mark LIV’s most notable free-agent pickup of a comparatively quiet offseason.

“Yeah, look, I’ve recognized Tom since he was 10 years previous, 11 years previous, and as quickly as he received the provide, he rang me,” McIlroy mentioned. The 2 spoke a number of occasions within the days and weeks that adopted.

“I actually like Tom as an individual, as a participant. I feel he’s received a ton of potential. Look, I mentioned to him, if I have been in your sneakers, I’d make a unique selection than the one you’re considering of creating … however I’m not him. I’m not in his sneakers. He’s a grown man at this level and might make his personal choices. All I can do is attempt to give him my perspective.”

ONE DUMB GRAPHIC

This one’s additional dumb however I’m pleased with it anyway.

The query, then: With a big-time broadcast deal, who’s gonna watch?

ONE THING TO WATCH

William Mouw makes a 13.

We really feel, in fact, for William Mouw, who entered the bunker at No. 16 and emerged a modified man. However “cinema” sums up this baker’s-dozen fairly properly.