Xander Schauffele gained gold on the Tokyo Olympics — then added two main titles since.
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Examine 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 at @golf_com. This week we sit up for the boys’s Olympic Golf competitors, talk about Jon Rahm’s first LIV Golf victory, one of the best offers in golf and extra.
The PGA Tour is off this week for the boys’s Olympic Golf competitors, which begins Thursday at Le Golf Nationwide outdoors of Paris. With golf now competing within the Video games a 3rd time, do you count on curiosity within the occasion to extend as nicely?
Sean Zak, senior author (@Sean_Zak): I undoubtedly count on a bump. Largely due to the time zone distinction between Paris and Tokyo. Followers within the States will be capable of catch the ultimate spherical of the leaders, largely in full in the event that they’d like. It may very well be Rory McIlroy vs. Scottie Scheffler, if the IGF is fortunate. It may very well be Shub Sharma towards C.T. Pan, which might be totally different however enjoyable, too. Largely, the medals will get handed out round 11 a.m. on the East Coast. That appears nice! And if there’s a playoff — which there doubtless will probably be — even higher.
Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): I’m certain the hardcore followers will probably be extra engaged than three years in the past in Tokyo, however so far as the typical Olympics fan goes, I’m undecided golf will garner a lot curiosity. There are too many different common Olympic sports activities for golf to be an enormous draw.
Nick Dimengo, instruction editor (@ndimengo): I do. It’s one other alternative to see most of the greatest gamers on the earth compete towards each other, so golf followers ought to be . Plus, who doesn’t prefer it when LIV guys and PGA Tour guys get collectively at an occasion?
What’s one storyline golf followers have to observe when the 60-player subject tees it up on Thursday?
Zak: I’m fairly curious concerning the LIV contingent at this event. They’re not taking part in for the mega-million-dollar purses they’re used to, however they’ve proven up nonetheless hoping to earn one thing distinctive from this championship season. For a man like Jon Rahm, it might make what has been a really irritating yr a bit extra palatable.
Melton: It’ll be enjoyable to look at Xander defend his gold after the stellar main season he put collectively. If he or Scottie can nab a gold in Paris, the player-of-the-year race can have one other bullet level to think about.
This PGA Tour rookie didn’t win the 3M Open. However he stole the present
Dimengo: I agree with Zephyr and will probably be holding an in depth eye on Schauffele. Not solely is he coming off a victory on the Open Championship, however he’s additionally defending his Olympic gold medal. Can he preserve it going?
Jon Rahm, who signed a mega-deal with LIV Golf earlier than this season, picked up his first particular person victory on Sunday within the UK after Tyrrell Hatton three-putted on the 18th inexperienced and made bogey. Who was this win extra essential for: Rahm, or LIV Golf?
Zak: Oh, this was manner greater for Rahm. LIV’s third season was all about his arrival. And we’ve tracked it. It has been … OK, however not nice. Probably the most-viewed movies we’ve seen of him on the course have been of him cussing about this or that, fairly than some {golfing} feat. So to show that narrative — even after the foremost season has handed — nonetheless feels essential.
Melton: It’s an enormous win for LIV to see their greatest star lastly break by means of, however it is a vital win for Rahm, too. He hasn’t gained because the 2023 Masters, so getting the monkey off his again should really feel good.
Dimengo: It’s onerous to say Rahm as a result of, nicely, is that this actually up there with a number of the different victories he’s had in his profession? Not likely. Positive, it provides him some validation for signing the large take care of LIV Golf, however the win itself is extra useful to the league since it could possibly now market Rahm as a LIV winner.
Talking of LIV, Joaquin Niemann mentioned he’s “fairly optimistic” that there will probably be some form of pathway created for LIV golfers to get into majors subsequent yr, which wasn’t the case the previous two years. Do you share his optimism?
Zak: I definitely share his optimism. However I’d a lot fairly see a pathway for them again to the PGA Tour, contemplating we are actually 14 months since Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Jay Monahan signed the Framework Settlement in 2023 between the Tour and the Saudi PIF. I do know so much has occurred since then, however that’s way more essential than a few spots right here and there for LIV gamers within the 2025 PGA Championship.
Melton: Sure, I’d think about there will probably be a pathway into the majors for LIV gamers as soon as the “merger” particulars get hashed out. Though I’m certain there’ll nonetheless be some complaining from LIV stars about needing extra spots. The sufferer mentality gained’t go away simply.
Dimengo: As soon as we get the (long-awaited) particulars relating to the merger, I’m certain there will probably be a neater path for the LIV guys to get into majors. What that appears like is anybody’s guess, however the objective ought to at all times be to get essentially the most proficient golfers within the subject.
Jhonattan Vegas gained the 3M Open on Sunday at TPC Twin Cities, besting Max Greyserman by a shot. Whereas the sector for the 3M didn’t include a ton of star-power, there have been loads of attention-grabbing storylines specializing in execs making an attempt to battle for positioning within the FedEx Cup standings with only one occasion (the Wyndham Championship) remaining. Since solely 70 gamers now make the playoffs, might you argue that it’s really improved the curiosity stage for a few of these late-season tournaments that don’t have a bunch of huge names?
Zak: That’s completely one of many essential outcomes of fixing the format for the PGA Tour. In a non-Olympics yr, we would have had an excellent stronger subject for the 3M, like when the event benefitted from Justin Thomas coming into in sizzling pursuit of some FedEx Cup factors final yr. And past the highest 70, you’ve bought gamers actually making an attempt to get into, say, the highest 42 or so, understanding that the 2025 Signature Occasions are on the road for the highest 50 after the primary week of the playoffs as nicely. Gamers take into consideration these items all yr lengthy, whether or not they need to admit it or not.
Melton: These late-season occasions could also be extra essential for the golfers, however I’m not satisfied it makes the informal fan any extra engaged. With the post-major-season burnout, it’s onerous to get hyped about dudes battling to make the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Dimengo: It’s onerous to examine many golf followers sitting inside on a pleasant summer season day deciding to soak up all the 3M Open on TV, however I personally suppose these smaller Tour occasions are enjoyable. They imply a ton to the golfers, particularly those on the perimeter of the FedEx Cup standings, so there’s so much occurring — as we witnessed this weekend with such a crowded leaderboard. That’s good for golf.
Because of a new partnership between Pebble Seaside Firm and Youth on Course, Spyglass Hill is now setting apart one tee time a day (4 gamers) for Youth on Course members who can play a world-renowned course that’s usually $495 for simply $5. Now that’s a steal. What’s your favourite worth you’ve stumbled upon throughout your travels?
Zak: That $490 low cost goes to be robust to beat. However I’ll say I’ve by no means had a nasty day at San Francisco’s Presidio Golf Course, which has resident reductions however doesn’t fully gouge the customer within the course of. You may play a twilight spherical in the course of the week for beneath $60, get some beautiful views of the town after which roll proper into city for a late, beautiful dinner.
Melton: It’s onerous to beat the greens charges at Bethpage Black for in-state residents (about $75). Enjoying a major-caliber course for beneath $100 is one heck of a deal.
Dimengo: I as soon as walked right into a bar with a buddy on a Friday throughout a visit to Jap Washington, shared a dialog with a pair different younger guys, requested them the place a great public golf course could be and ended up getting invited to a free spherical the subsequent day. The course? Gamble Sands. I’d say that’s a fairly good worth, proper?
