Jay Monahan spoke to the media at East Lake on Wednesday.
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ATLANTA — Our Dylan Dethier is on the Tour Championship, the place the Tour’s finest gamers — and their commissioner — have gathered for the season finale. Our Sean Zak has arrived dwelling after a Eurotrip. Let’s speak some golf!
SZ: Dylan, my pal. I’ve returned to the Midwest and it’s scorching. I can’t think about what it’s been like for you down on the Tour Championship. However I do know it’s your first week on website shortly. How did it really feel getting again on the market?
DD: Whats up, Sean! Because you talked about it, let’s begin with that warmth. I’m not constructed for it. It’s been 90-something levels all week, plus sunny, humid and nonetheless. I actually prefer to stroll the course throughout follow rounds — it’s likelihood to see gamers, programs and their groups. However each afternoon I’ve simply ended up a sweaty wreck.
It’s so scorching that I’m satisfied it’s truly an issue for the golf event; the warmth sucks the life out of an occasion that wants all of the life it may well get. In case you’re a fan you don’t need to observe teams across the course in climate like this; you may somewhat keep dwelling and watch within the A/C. After a couple of half-day right here I used to be already reimagining the Tour schedule to get Memphis and Atlanta as a part of the spring schedule whereas August would take us to Boston, New York, Chicago, Denver, Seattle. However that’s greater than sufficient complaining, as a result of it’s genuinely good to be right here. I in the reduction of on journey a bit this summer time with the beginning of our daughter and am now settling into a brand new regular. It’s terrific to get again within the combine.
SZ: We’ll get to the necessary stuff (learn: Jay Monahan’s presser) shortly, however first, are you able to inform us your ideas on that renovation to East Lake? I’m struggling to think about a extra impactful golf course renovation. Are you able to?
DD: Hmm. Anytime Augusta Nationwide strikes a tee field we are likely to deal with it like a global incident, so folks definitely have stronger opinions on the thirteenth tee there than something about East Lake. However in terms of common Tour stops I actually can’t consider this severe an overhaul. It’s the identical basic footprint because the previous course however each professional has been in settlement: this place is fully totally different. And I feel it appears good! The in-course O.B. was kind of an embarrassing oversight however in all East Lake looks like a extra fascinating taking part in and viewing expertise.
Tony Finau informed me one thing fascinating: it could weirdly be a bonus for guys who’ve by no means been right here as a result of they don’t must unlearn something. I preferred how Shane Lowry — who’s making his debut right here — put it:
“Properly, everyone retains saying how totally different it’s, however it’s clearly only a new golf course for me, so I don’t actually know something totally different, which is nice.
“It’s nice to listen to the lads moaning about it contained in the locker room, and I’m proud of what I see.”
SZ: I’ve truly by no means been to East Lake. Oops! What’s the one factor I have to find out about it earlier than watching on TV this weekend?
DD: This 12 months what you need to know is that it’s a brand-new golf course, so it hasn’t “settled” simply but. Which means the greens are agency however the areas across the greens are gentle, so it’ll play slightly bit humorous. It ought to preserve professionals uncomfy. The inexperienced surrounds have gotten extra fascinating with slopes and brief grass. And the tough is hard; you’re gonna need to hit the fairways.
SZ: Okay, let’s get to the juicy stuff. You have been there in Jay Monahan’s presser. You requested one of many first questions. From my view, Monahan spoke in a bunch of jumbled vagueness. What did you need to discover out from him this week, and the way distant was his response from what you hoped for?
DD: There was one primary concern with Monahan’s presser: The factor we need to hear about probably the most — the PIF deal and any conversations about LIV — is the one factor he didn’t need to discuss. I discovered him overly cautious, sitting and studying his opening assertion off a paper, which is a troublesome solution to make any new initiatives sound thrilling. I’d prefer to see him extra conversational and extra on the offensive. In any case, folks have been dancing on the Tour’s grave in the beginning of 2024. The league has survived! There’s loads to have a good time.
Studying between the traces you bought the message: The Tour believes it’s wonderful with or with out the PIF, with or with out LIV, so there’s no rush or panic. However Monahan and the Tour nonetheless need to preserve all their choices open, so it’s robust to return out and say so immediately. In brief, I’ve some suggestions.
SZ: I had a guide occasion in St. Andrews final week, and lots of people have been asking about what the way forward for professional golf appears to be like like. Nobody can reply it, not even Monahan. A greater Q for you: Is there something you’ve seen or heard in Atlanta that will get you excited concerning the future?
DD: Y’know what has me excited? The BMW Championship. Folks rave about it. They liked the journey to Fort Pines. They liked being in Chicago final 12 months. They love the way in which the event organizers preserve venues and markets contemporary and take note of all of the little particulars. It’s straightforward to nitpick and complain, so it’s necessary to acknowledge who’s doing issues particularly properly on this area.
One different message from Monahan that appeared like excellent news: they’re obsessive about getting fan suggestions. Now, if they will simply put it to good use…
SZ: You walked a number of holes with Rory McIlroy yesterday. The person who has been doing ungodly issues to his driver currently. How’s life in Roryland?
DD: He appeared good — largely. He was cheery taking part in a match with Shane Lowry, I feel possibly for a bottle of wine? However he additionally appeared like he’s working on empty, and he was greater than slightly disillusioned reflecting on his season and evaluating professional golf’s future. I bought the sense he’s had a troublesome time absolutely reengaging post-U.S. Open heartbreak; even when he wins a number of Tour occasions there’s nothing he can do in 2024 that’ll get him a significant.
SZ: Certain, everybody’s taking part in for a boatload of cash this week, however they’re additionally making an attempt to stamp their ticket to the Presidents Cup too, with captain’s picks coming Tuesday. Have you ever gathered any intel on who we are able to count on to affix these squads subsequent week?
DD: Principally whispers. However on the U.S. facet I’ve my eye on Justin Thomas — he tends to play properly on this occasion and I feel if he has week he’s most likely in. I’m fascinated to see how captain Jim Furyk handles Max Homa, who earned 7.5 factors between the 2022 Presidents Cup and 2023 Ryder Cup, two greater than any teammate, however isn’t presently in good type.
On the worldwide facet I’m largely simply curious what Mike Weir does with the Canadians. Corey Conners will likely be in and Taylor Pendrith must be, too. However what about Mackenzie Hughes, Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin? A Canadian captain choosing Canadian gamers for a Canadian Presidents Cup means extra scrutiny on these picks than ordinary.
SZ: Okay, sport. Admire you placing up with all my questions. My final one is straightforward: I’m not permitting you to decide on Xander Schauffele or Keegan Bradley to win this weekend (for apparent causes unique to you), so who ya bought?
DD: Gimme Russell Henley with a mega-comeback! (However Xander’s gonna win. New golf course, similar East Lake murderer.)
