Claire Rogers
PGA Tour, Getty Pictures, Claire Rogers
Hi there associates, and welcome to the Thanksgiving week version of the Rogers Report! I’m going to be doing issues a bit of otherwise right here right this moment. As an alternative of taking you all via one of the best golf and golf-ish moments from the final week, I’m having a look again on one of the best moments of the golf YEAR.
And talking of golf moments, my coworkers (and extra importantly, buddies) and I’ll be speaking ALL about these on GOLF’s revamped “Drop Zone” podcast. Make sure that to test that out wherever you hearken to your podcasts.
The ridiculous
Bryson DeChambeau (A.Ok.A. the content material king) might have an entire column devoted to him, however I’ve determined to award him only one superlative this 12 months. These are the principles! It wasn’t simple to decide on only one second from DeChambeau. I believed concerning the golf lesson he gave Johnson Wagner on air after profitable the U.S. Open, his new sequence the place he hits wedges over his home in an effort to make an ace and, after all, when he tried out three totally different driver heads on the vary seconds earlier than teeing off within the remaining group on the U.S. Open. However in the long run, one second completely captures Bryson above all others.
After hitting into the timber, Bryson DeChambeau pulled a Masters course signal out of the bottom and moved it, so his second wouldn’t hit it alongside the thirteenth fairway. Guidelines officers mentioned no and it was changed. DeChambeau made birdie on thirteenth to go -8 pic.twitter.com/qOkaq49bMz
— Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) April 12, 2024
The content material king making a innocent ruckus at Augusta Nationwide is as on-brand because it will get for the 2024 U.S. Open champion. He’s in his Crushers gear, he’s exhibiting off his gymnasium positive aspects by lifting up that huge signal, and he seems to be like completely nothing out of the abnormal is occurring. It’s lovely, and it’s the right DeChambeau second.
“And Bryson stood earlier than the inexperienced jackets: and the inexperienced jackets requested him, saying, Artwork thou the King of Crushers GC?” – Matthew 27:11 pic.twitter.com/1KpKmUd3S0
— claire rogers (@kclairerogers) April 12, 2024
Honorable point out
I might be remiss to not point out Matt Kuchar’s stunt on the 18th fairway on the Wyndham Championship below this superlative. DeChambeau took the cake right here for apparent causes, together with the truth that his signal carry was innocent. The Kuchar factor was each totally ridiculous and confusingly bizarre, but it surely did make for social media gold.
I imply, it’s not day by day you’ve gotten a compelled Monday end for somebody in twelfth place.
The funniest
Tyrrell Hatton may not comprehend it, however he’s the funniest skilled golfer alive. I say this although I’ve had only a few interactions with the man. His mood on the golf course turns heads within the incorrect method at occasions, however a few of his moments are straight-up hilarious. Exhibit A: when he was taking part in so poorly on the Open Championship in July that he determined to hold his personal bag.
Why did Tyrrell Hatton carry his personal bag down the twelfth fairway at The Open?
“After that tee shot on 11, that is what I deserve,” he instructed on-course reporter Curt Byrum. pic.twitter.com/CR6feBMric
— Josh Berhow (@Josh_Berhow) July 19, 2024
That is one thing you may anticipate to see at your native membership championship. However a significant? Exceptional! Hatton merely doesn’t care, and that’s what makes him so humorous.
The runner-up award right here additionally goes to Hatton, who left himself a relatable reminder on his golf glove a couple of weeks in the past.
The sweetest
There may be in the future per 12 months on the golf calendar that’s utterly excellent in each method: Wednesday on the Masters. The apply rounds are winding down and the preparation is completed. It’s the eve of main season and you may really feel the thrill within the early spring air.
And, most significantly, it’s the Masters Par-3 Contest.
As unbelievable as Masters event days are, Wednesday will at all times be my favourite day at Augusta Nationwide. There’s nothing like gamers stress-free with their households for some Par-3 Contest enjoyable, and it’s by far the sweetest day of the 12 months.
I’m probably not positive how all skilled golfers have such well-behaved children, as a result of my siblings and I might in all probability have been bickering on stay tv if we have been within the highlight. There can be a minimum of one meltdown per gap, and somebody in all probability would have stormed off in anger. However not the youngsters {of professional} golfers. They carry their A-game to this contest yearly.
I can not in good religion award the sweetest second to 1 golf household right here, so I’m declaring that the entire day wins. Maya Fowler, Sammy Spieth, Iris Lowry, Frankie Fleetwood and Dakota Watson: Congratulations! You melted the chilly hearts of overworked adults in every single place for a short second in April.
JT and Jordan this! Cantlay and Schauffele that!
Let’s discuss the actual finest friendship in golf: Iris Lowry and Frankie Fleetwood pic.twitter.com/xlkFpBSxRJ
— claire rogers (@kclairerogers) April 10, 2024
I’m already wanting ahead to the sweetest golf day of 2025.
The random off-course second
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry had one of the best random off-course second of 2024 after they (I’m utilizing the time period “they” loosely right here, as a result of McIlroy did 95 p.c of the efficiency) joined forces and sang “Don’t Cease Believin’” after their win on the Zurich Traditional.
This was, fingers down, probably the most random and surprising golf second of the 12 months for me. Nothing prepares you to open Twitter anticipating to see a buttoned-up post-round press convention, and as a substitute discover skilled golfers doing … properly, this.
This jogs my memory that I actually need to get the backstory right here. How on earth was McIlroy satisfied to do that? Why was there a karaoke occasion happening on the Zurich Traditional? Can this please occur at extra occasions? Ought to different sports activities start to include a karaoke session into their award ceremony?
The non-public
I wished to replicate on a few of my favourite golf moments from 2024, and two instantly got here to thoughts. First was the Solheim Cup. The entire week was in contrast to another golf expertise I’ve had. It was intense. It was so enjoyable. And most significantly, it was crammed with golf followers of all ages. My favourite second of the week was watching Nelly Korda and Charley Hull arrive on the primary tee to kick off Sunday Singles matches. The power was insane as two of the preferred golfers on the planet made their technique to the tee. I bear in mind being so excited for that match. I’d relive this present day in a heartbeat!
My different favourite reminiscence from the 2024 golf season was the day I spent on the Masters with my dad and my sister Ellen. We had such a blast, and golf has performed such a giant position in our relationship that it felt like a full-circle second on the most particular course on the earth.
The 12 months isn’t over but, and I’m totally anticipating a handful of memorable moments on the Grant Thornton Invitational and the PNC Championship. As at all times, I’ll be certain to allow you to all learn about them right here.
Claire Rogers
Golf.com Editor