‘Do not sir me!’ Rating the 24 most amusing moments from overlaying golf in 2024

the drill: One other yr in golf, one other yr of amusing moments.

Certain, I’ll keep in mind Scottie Scheffler’s dominant yr (and arrest), Xander Schauffele’s two main triumphs, one other U.S. Presidents Cup victory, and some of the birdies and bogeys made in between all of it. However nothing beats an excellent giggle, which is why I’ll cherish the amusements as effectively – plenty of bizarre lies, pants and Kevins; one Reed Hughes; Zach Johnson’s tone deafness; Matt Kuchar’s Monday end.

Listed below are my 24 most amusing moments from 2024, ranked:

To the shock of nobody, Hughes didn’t sniff the weekend, taking pictures 76-78 to complete DFL by 4 pictures.

21. Mosquitoes within the Aires

The Korn Ferry Tour stopped in Argentina in late February, simply in time for a mosquito invasion – and Large Tom Walsh got here ready:

20. The clever dodger

Let me begin by saying that there’s completely no approach that Ludvig Åberg was not a minimum of considerably conscious of the latest PGA Tour eligibility and field-size adjustments when he was requested about them on the RSM Traditional in November. Let me additionally say that Åberg is one expert participant, on the course and in entrance of the mic:

19. Anatomy of a shank

The one factor lacking from this alternate between Scottie Scheffler and ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach was Scheffler explaining how he out-rebounded Xander Schauffele and Sahith Theegala:

18. What a gap!

OK, another “Residence Alone” reference. Detroit may be the Motor Metropolis, however whoever engineered these drain-hole covers, one among which confiscated Akshay Bhatia’s golf ball in the course of the second spherical of the Rocket Mortgage Traditional (with Bhatia main!), most likely wants some re-training.

17. Vegas’ drive lands on cop

In the event you put aside the two,000 Officer Gillis jokes, this sequence the place Jhonattan Vegas’ drive finally ends up wedged between a cop’s arm and chest in the course of the remaining spherical of the 3M Open was superb.

16. Mr. Spieth’s (newest) wild journey

The random-places theme continues with who else however Jordan Spieth, who went on a wild journey – even for him – at this yr’s Valero Texas Open. Spieth’s drive at TPC Craig Ranch’s par-5 18th gap landed within the native space and beneath a tree. His second shot then got here to relaxation just some ft from a big, concrete drain (drains getting plenty of play right here). That is the place issues acquired downright preposterous, as Spieth, after consulting with an official, performed his third shot approach left and onto the steel roof of a close-by constructing. Not solely was the gutter the ball ended up in not out of bounds, however Spieth additionally obtained free aid from a scoreboard earlier than punching his fourth (!) shot onto the inexperienced.

Ball don’t lie, although, as Spieth three-putted from there for a double bogey.

15. The virtually rose parade

For a loopy as Spieth’s TIO aid was, Lydia Ko’s drop on the LPGA Drive On Championship in January was equally ironic. In a playoff with Nelly Korda – and with a spot within the LPGA Corridor of Fame on the road (a win would give Ko the ultimate level she wanted for induction) – Ko missed the inexperienced together with her method, and her ball rolled subsequent to the bouquet of 27 roses and bottle of champagne on ice introduced out to rejoice her potential achievement. Solely Ko, who acquired aid from the close by grandstand, didn’t find yourself successful. Awkward.

All is nice, although, as Ko would later enter the Corridor following her gold-medal victory in Paris.

14. One completely happy coach

Alabama head coach Jay Seawell normally celebrates victories with milkshakes. However when Nick Dunlap received The American Categorical in January as an novice, Seawell coupled his milkshake with a aspect of throwing his shoulder out.

11. Whole eclipse of the guts

A photo voltaic eclipse overlapping with Masters week? What a deal with – and it nonetheless is undetermined which participant had essentially the most enjoyable, Bryson DeChambeau or Peter Malnati, the latter of whom purchased his personal eclipse glasses for the event.

10. This query is for Orbit

Simply the screenshot of the yr: Jay Monahan conducting a presser on the Houston Open whereas the Astros mascot, decked out in argyle, stands within the background.

If Gold Boy isn’t lurking at subsequent yr’s Gamers deal with…

9. Blockie will get ‘canceled’

Due to inclement climate, the PGA of America introduced late morning that the rest of its Tuesday press conferences for the PGA Championship had been canceled. Not lengthy after, it introduced circumstances had improved and the pressers had been again on – effectively, all anticipate for the one time slot that had since handed, that of Michael Block. Final yr’s PGA-hero-turned-oversaturated-content-king was then relegated to a smaller interview with a pair pool reporters, which, as a lot as I nonetheless like Blockie, was most likely for the most effective.

8. P Boy’s plight

Talking of cancel tradition, go away it to the boys from The Shotgun Begin podcast to guide essentially the most unlikely of revolts throughout this yr’s U.S. Open: Who precisely is Putter Boy, and what’s with everybody’s obsession over him? It was, in fact, all in good enjoyable, and the little fella putts on – although we might’ve finished with out the “P BOY” hats. Don’t eat the yellow sand.

7. Prez Cup Picassos

The U.S. Presidents Cup WAGs can’t all be Teil Henley.

6. Aspect-eyed Shipley

As Neal Shipley, this yr’s Masters low novice, explains it, he was tremendous nervous as he sat in Butler Cabin. Not eager to screw something up, he saved glancing on the teleprompter, in order that he wouldn’t miss any of his cues. And but, these actions produced one of many higher memes of the yr.

In fact, that wasn’t Shipley’s solely awkward second, as Shipley is requested by a reporter within the interview room a couple of observe that Tiger Woods supposedly slipped him throughout their remaining spherical collectively. Shipley seems on the Augusta Nationwide member moderating the presser, after which turns again to the reporter and says, “No, no, that didn’t occur.”

Shipley has since reiterated that assertion in numerous different interviews, although I’m nonetheless solely 99.5% certain he’s telling the reality.

5. Golf Channel’s humorous man

And there’s no WAG like our WAGs. From fastballs at TPC Sawgrass to chip yips at Valhalla to candy redemption with Bryson at Pinehurst, Johnson Wagner was a human spotlight reel.

4. Pants-gate

A lot of pants speak on this article, huh? Someway, Jason Day’s pants had been trumped – by the trousers worn by Bryan Gillis, the Louisville police officer concerned in that site visitors incident with Scottie Scheffler outdoors the gates of Valhalla. Whereas the occasions that occurred had been no laughing matter, the truth that Gillis’ $80 pants grew to become such an enormous matter of dialog was amusing. I imply, they even prompted this postscript from Gillis, who wrote in an announcement: “Sure, the division has us shopping for freaking $80 pants. To these involved, they had been certainly ruined. However Scottie, it’s all good. I by no means would’ve guessed I’d have essentially the most well-known pair of pants within the nation for just a few weeks due to this. Take care and be protected.”

Additionally, for the file, paying $80 for pants isn’t freeway theft like many had been shouting. Free advert: My favourite pants, lululemon’s ABC line, now retail for $128, which contemplating I’ve pairs which have now lasted me six years (and doubtless a minimum of six extra), is a steal.

After some borderline condescension towards the younger reporter – “I’m asking you a query” – Johnson ended the interview with an “I’m finished … I’m finished with every thing.”

However the PR nightmare acquired worse for Johnson. A pair months later, the reside stream of Augusta Nationwide’s twelfth gap picked up Johnson, after a triple bogey and a few distant clapping, showing to show to the patrons again on the tee field and bark, “F— off!” What occurred subsequent was, effectively, laughable. Johnson appeared perplexed when requested in regards to the second after his spherical. Then got here this gem: “If I’ve mentioned something, which I’m not going to disclaim, particularly if it’s on digicam, one, I apologize, and two, it was absolutely directed in the direction of myself totally as a result of I can’t hear something behind me. Does that make sense?” Type of.

1. Matt’s Monday end

Most years, Zach would’ve produced essentially the most amusing second – and for practically seven months, he was on his approach. However then Matt Kuchar mentioned, maintain my beer.

Kuchar, taking part in within the remaining group on the Wyndham Championship with rookie Max Greyserman and Chad Ramey, was out of competition, but he was the one one who determined to not end his spherical. After hitting his drive – and solely avoiding hitting into Aaron Rai up forward due to a yanked tee ball – Kuchar opted to mark his ball within the left tough and return on Monday morning to finish his 72nd gap.

Kuchar’s clarification of his choice was much more head-scratching, as he mentioned he was attempting to “set an instance for” Greyserman, who would’ve wanted to gap out for eagle from the golf green to pressure a playoff with Rai. (Greyserman, who ended up T-2, would later say that Kuchar by no means mentioned something to him within the second and that the entire ordeal was “fairly unusual.”)

Whereas Rai went residence Sunday evening with trophy in hand, Kuchar was again on the driving vary at 7:40 a.m. the subsequent morning for his 8 a.m. restart. He then took TIO aid and grinded for a par save; had he bogeyed, he would’ve earned practically $80,000 much less in prize cash.

“No person desires to be that man that’s displaying up at this time, one particular person, one gap – not even one gap, half a gap,” Kuchar mentioned after ending, whereas including that had he discovered the golf green with the tee shot, he would’ve most likely completed on Sunday. “So, apologies to the match, to all people that needed to come out. I do know it stinks. I do know the ramifications. … Actually, I apologize to pressure all people to come back out right here.”

One of the best half? PGATour.com’s Kevin Prise documented all of it. I encourage you to click on and revel in this whole thread: