Tiger impressions, Ryder Cup pay, 2024’s greatest

Check 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 a part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we focus on impressions of Tiger (and Charlie) Woods’ end on the PNC Championship, the PGA Tour vs. LIV ‘Showdown,’ our favourite 2024 moments and extra.

Tiger Woods teamed together with his son, Charlie, on the PNC Championship, making the 36-hole scramble his first begin for the reason that Open Championship in July (and his newest again surgical procedure). Sunday had all of it: Charlie’s first-ever hole-in-one, a formidable driver off the deck from Tiger and, finally, the Langers beating Staff Woods in a playoff. What have been your ideas on Tiger and Charlie’s weekend in Florida?

Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): It was quite a lot of enjoyable — particularly so as a result of they have been in rivalry coming down the stretch. It’s additionally good to see Tiger smiling (reasonably than grimacing) on the golf course. The event didn’t give any significant insights into Tiger’s future aggressive possibilities (this course is a bunny slope whereas majors are performed on black diamonds) however that’s OK. Simply seeing Tiger and Charlie having enjoyable out there’s a deal with in itself.

Alan Bastable, government editor (@alan_bastable): Enjoyable, positive. But in addition aggressive. You could possibly really feel each groups burning to win in that playoff. Additionally, to not get all sentimental, however you will need to tip your hat to the sport at giant on this December Sunday! What different sport permits individuals of such various ages and skills to compete equitably in opposition to each other in such a charged setting? To be extra particular, you had arguably the very best golfer ever and his 15-year-old child squaring off in opposition to a 67-year-old who received his final main 34 years in the past and his funding banker son — and it made for a riveting watch. By the best way, what a pleasure to see Tiger hitting pressure-filled photographs simply three months faraway from his sixth again surgical procedure and within the wake of what was in any other case a principally grim season for him. For Tiger optimists, 2025 is undoubtedly wanting brighter than it did per week in the past.   

Jack Hirsh, Affiliate Gear Editor (@JR_HIRSHey): I feel you guys coated any significant takeaways from Tiger’s week, however how about Chuck to make the ace after which give you some fairly clutch photographs the remainder of the best way, particularly putts! I too made my first hole-in-one at 15 in a event and barely stored my subsequent swing on the golf course (I completed that spherical double-birdie-triple). Once more, we now have to mood our expectations for Charlie as he’s only a 15-year-old child enjoying with a totally unfair quantity of stress, however it was actually enjoyable to see the mannerism comparisons as soon as once more and the entire Woods household having enjoyable.

Analyst Peter Jacobsen raved about Tiger’s week, saying he was “overwhelmed and excited for the world of golf and for Tiger to see how properly he responded [physically] and the way properly he performed.” Do you agree?

Melton: Probably not. It is a silly-season occasion performed on a benign and flat Florida course. Suggesting this occasion factors to future success is silly.

Bastable: Who let the Grinch into this roundtable?! Little question Ritz-Carlton Golf Membership ain’t Oakmont, however c’mon, Z, our man walked 55 holes in three days! Undecided anybody noticed that coming. I’ll say his sport left one thing to be desired. There have been some highlights — that driver off the deck to 30 ft involves thoughts — however when the warmth was on within the playoff, Tiger’s iron play and placing was not sharp. By his personal admission, he’s rusty. Query is, can he play sufficient significant golf in ’25 to shake that rust off? At 49 and together with his physique nonetheless requiring way more rejuvenation, that appears like a mighty ask.

Hirsh: Who woulda thought Basty could be the conductor of the hype prepare? Decelerate there, Velocity Racer! He’s Tiger-Freaking-Woods, in fact he’s going to hit superb photographs like that on a regular basis when it doesn’t matter. He’s the best to ever reside and continues to defy expectations, however it’s time to simply accept that we simply won’t see that within the warmth of PGA Tour or main championship competitors. That’s to not say he can’t deal with the stress, however stress manifests itself bodily simply as a lot as mentally and his physique has been via greater than most 49-year-olds. Let’s see if he even finally ends up enjoying at Genesis first.

The much-hyped Crypto Showdown — the PGA Tour vs. LIV match that includes Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler vs. Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka — drew simply 625,000 viewers, in keeping with Sports activities Enterprise Journal’s Josh Carpenter. Whereas this wasn’t part of “The Match” franchise, it might have ranked because the second-lowest viewership complete ever. What provides? And are we beginning to see a scary pattern for made-for-TV matches?

Melton: Rankings are down throughout the game, and this occasion was no totally different. It’s robust to get hyped for occasions which have so little on the road — and I feel the lackluster scores illustrate that. With a lot else on the docket this week (CFB playoffs, NFL video games, NBA and NHL early season, and so forth.) sports activities followers solely have a lot bandwidth. A meaningless occasion with cryptocurrency on the road is clearly low on the listing of viewing priorities for the typical sports activities watcher. 

Bastable: I truly thought the crypto purse was one of many extra compelling angles! Money is so 2023. However yeah, it’s no secret that professional golf is oversaturated and about to get much more so when TGL comes on-line subsequent month. Which means any exhibition that doesn’t function Tiger and Charlie will likely be a tricky promote no matter the way it’s marketed. The PGA Tour-vs.-LIV stress may need been an excellent hook a few years in the past — hassle is, a lot of that angst has since dissipated.

Hirsh: I wasn’t a kind of viewers, however not as a result of I didn’t need to watch it. I feel Z is spot on that scores are down, and whereas pitting LIV vs. the PGA Tour is an efficient promote, that occurs on the majors too and people scores are down as properly. Individuals aren’t going to tune again into golf till there’s much less discuss politics, backroom dealings and division and extra discuss golf and simply golf.

It’s official: the PGA of America introduced that U.S. Ryder Cup gamers will obtain $500,000 complete — $300,000 of which is able to go to charities of their selection and $200,000 to do as they please. (Beforehand, gamers acquired $200,000 to go to charities of their selection.) Because the announcement, the Telegraph reported Europe wouldn’t be altering its fee construction. How does this new wrinkle have an effect on the dynamic of the Ryder Cup?

Melton: It displays the dynamics of each groups. Staff USA as a bunch of rugged people enjoying (largely) for themselves and their very own pursuits versus Staff Europe which bands collectively for a better objective. If the People lose at Bethpage, you possibly can ensure that level will likely be talked about for a few years to return.

Bastable: I feel that’s spot-on, Zeph — this improvement performs proper into the narratives which have fashioned round each side during the last 20 years or so. Am I offended that the People will likely be paid? I’m not. However I do surprise if a $200,00 stipend was value all of the politicking that absolutely was required behind the scenes. Rory made a dig in regards to the U.S. paydays earlier this week, and relaxation assured these jabs will proceed till the ultimate putt drops at Bethpage subsequent fall.    

Hirsh: I agree with each of you. What are we doing right here? Simply ship all of it to charity and get on with it. What’s $200k to Xander Schauffele when he made greater than $23 million final 12 months. Was it value it? Rory is correct to throw shade and thinly veiled digs. The People appear to be infants crying “The place’s the cash?” whereas the Europeans are in it for delight and delight solely. 

TGL, the brand new indoor simulator golf league backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, will kick off on Jan. 7, though we acquired a peek backstage with media day availability final week. Something you learn or noticed floating round on social media that was intriguing to you?

Melton: It appeared … cooler than I anticipated? The rotating inexperienced and Augusta Nationwide-esque sand traps look properly executed, and the wacky gap designs they’ve revealed remind me of Golden Tee. Shade me cautiously optimistic that TGL may very well be quite a lot of enjoyable. 

Bastable: Sure, it actually seems like they acquired the tech proper — how about that six-story-high sim display screen! — and the gamers legitimately appear wowed by all of the bells and whistles. However as we’ve already mentioned at size on this house, how lengthy till the novelty wears off?

Hirsh: Yea, I’m intrigued, however Alan is correct. How lengthy will I (and everybody else) keep that method?

We’ll spend subsequent week’s Tour Confidential looking forward to 2025, however first let’s take one final look again at 2024. What was your favourite golf second of the previous 12 months?

Melton: I all the time get a kick out of masking the Augusta Nationwide Ladies’s Newbie, and this 12 months was no totally different. Lottie Woad’s back-nine cost was epic — and it was quite a lot of enjoyable to witness in particular person. We’re nonetheless solely half a decade into ANWA’s historical past, however the occasion is a complete hit for my part. Right here’s to many extra iconic moments from the women at Augusta. 

Bastable: I’ll all the time affiliate 2024 with the Scheffler arrest. Was it my favourite second?  I don’t know. However for these of us within the golf-news enterprise, it was the type of second that makes this job a blast. Nonetheless gobsmacked that it even occurred.     

Hirsh: Yeah, it’s Scheffler’s arrest for me too. That was simply a kind of moments that transcended sports activities and can make individuals bear in mind “the place have been you when.” For me, it was the seven telephone calls from my dad telling me to activate SportsCenter at 7 a.m. Let’s additionally not overlook, the dude shot 66 that day. Like come on man, don’t tell us how simple it’s for you!