Xander Schauffele received 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 matters 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, focus on Jon Rahm’s first LIV Golf victory, the most effective 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 properly?
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, principally in full in the event that they’d like. It could possibly be Rory McIlroy vs. Scottie Scheffler, if the IGF is fortunate. It could possibly be Shub Sharma in opposition to C.T. Pan, which might be completely 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 possible shall be — even higher.
Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): I’m positive the hardcore followers shall be extra engaged than three years in the past in Tokyo, however so far as the typical Olympics fan goes, I’m unsure golf will garner a lot curiosity. There are too many different standard Olympic sports activities for golf to be an enormous draw.
Nick Dimengo, instruction editor (@ndimengo): I do. It’s one other alternative to see lots of the finest gamers on the earth compete in opposition to each other, so golf followers needs 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 must comply with when the 60-player subject tees it up on Thursday?
Zak: I’m fairly curious in regards to the LIV contingent at this match. They’re not enjoying 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 may make what has been a really irritating 12 months a bit extra palatable.
Melton: It’ll be enjoyable to observe 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 shall be preserving a detailed 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 hold 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 necessary for: Rahm, or LIV Golf?
Zak: Oh, this was method larger for Rahm. LIV’s third season was all about his arrival. And we’ve tracked it. It has been … OK, however not nice. Essentially the most-viewed movies we’ve seen of him on the course have been of him cussing about this or that, quite than some {golfing} feat. So to show that narrative — even after the foremost season has handed — nonetheless feels necessary.
Melton: It’s a giant win for LIV to see their greatest star lastly break by, however it is a vital win for Rahm, too. He hasn’t received because the 2023 Masters, so getting the monkey off his again should really feel good.
Dimengo: It’s laborious to say Rahm as a result of, properly, is that this actually up there with among the different victories he’s had in his profession? Probably not. Certain, it offers him some validation for signing the huge cope with LIV Golf, however the win itself is extra helpful to the league since it may possibly now market Rahm as a LIV winner.
Talking of LIV, Joaquin Niemann mentioned he’s “fairly optimistic” that there shall be some kind of pathway created for LIV golfers to get into majors subsequent 12 months, which wasn’t the case the previous two years. Do you share his optimism?
Zak: I actually share his optimism. However I’d a lot quite 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 necessary than a few spots right here and there for LIV gamers within the 2025 PGA Championship.
Melton: Sure, I’d think about there shall be a pathway into the majors for LIV gamers as soon as the “merger” particulars get hashed out. Though I’m positive there’ll nonetheless be some complaining from LIV stars about needing extra spots. The sufferer mentality received’t go away simply.
Dimengo: As soon as we get the (long-awaited) particulars relating to the merger, I’m positive there shall be a better path for the LIV guys to get into majors. What that appears like is anybody’s guess, however the objective ought to all the time be to get probably the most gifted golfers within the subject.
Jhonattan Vegas received 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 fascinating storylines specializing in professionals attempting 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, may you argue that it’s truly 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 necessary outcomes of fixing the format for the PGA Tour. In a non-Olympics 12 months, we’d have had a fair stronger subject for the 3M, like when the match benefitted from Justin Thomas coming into in sizzling pursuit of some FedEx Cup factors final 12 months. And past the highest 70, you’ve acquired gamers actually attempting to get into, say, the highest 42 or so, realizing that the 2025 Signature Occasions are on the road for the highest 50 after the primary week of the playoffs as properly. Gamers take into consideration these items all 12 months lengthy, whether or not they wish to admit it or not.
Melton: These late-season occasions could also be extra necessary for the golfers, however I’m not satisfied it makes the informal fan any extra engaged. With the post-major-season burnout, it’s laborious to get hyped about dudes battling to make the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Dimengo: It’s laborious to ascertain many golf followers sitting inside on a pleasant summer time 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.
Due to a new partnership between Pebble Seashore 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 utterly gouge the customer within the course of. You may play a twilight spherical in the midst of the week for underneath $60, get some pretty views of town after which roll proper into city for a late, pretty dinner.
Melton: It’s laborious to beat the greens charges at Bethpage Black for in-state residents (about $75). Taking part in a major-caliber course for underneath $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 Japanese Washington, shared a dialog with a pair different younger guys, requested them the place a superb public golf course could be and ended up getting invited to a free spherical the following day. The course? Gamble Sands. I’d say that’s a fairly good worth, proper?
