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Colorful golf balls? Bucket hats? Cargo shorts? Music on the course? TG2 answers over 60 questions from Instagram – GolfWRX

Kevin SmythBy No Comments5 Mins Read
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A year ago, we in the North found ourselves with our fingers crossed. The 2023 Oak Hill PGA Championship finished on schedule, despite challenging weather conditions in upstate New York. It’s 75 degrees today at the Niagara border, making it two out of three (it was the same in 2022) for sweltering, unseasonable weather.

Louisville is, let’s be honest, a much better bet for a PGA Championship in May, and Valhalla is an exciting venue for the second major championship of the year on the men’s tour. Brooks Koepka arrived as the defending champion and Rory McIlroy arrived as the last golfer to win a major on the Nicklaus-designed course. That was ten years ago, and boy, have things changed in the world and in golf.

The first day in Valhalla offered walk-in eagles, buckets of birdies and record score potential for the winner. We’ll get right into it, with five things we learned. After all, if you can make par from the mud, anything is possible in horse country.

1. X marks this place

Xander Schauffele clashed with Rory McIlroy last Sunday, at least on the practice green. By the end of the round, Rors had won for the fourth time in Charlotte, while X Man was scratching his head, wondering what went wrong. Luckily for us, Alex didn’t sulk.

The San Diego State alumnus completely torched Jack’s track with a 62. Four birdies on the front nine were followed by five more on the inside side. Schauffele never looked like bogey was a consideration, and he could have gone even lower. Despite winning the Covid-delayed gold medal at the Japan Olympics (I consider it a major, btdubs), Schauffele continues to aim for a first men’s major and the validation it brings. If 62 doesn’t get you over the hump, who knows what will.

2. Scottie starts strong? Always.

Last month, Mr. Scheffler won a second green jacket at Augusta National. Last year in Rochester, Mr. Scheffler tied for second in this event. Mr. Scheffler began playing today with a walk-in eagle, a one-hop affair that never seemed to go anywhere but home. Scheffler has had some rough patches, but that’s to be expected from a new father. Every time he made a bogey, he bounced back with a birdie, so he has the short memory that winners dream of. Surprisingly, Scheffler failed to make a final birdie at 18th. Perhaps this failure will motivate him in the second round.

3. LIV registration

It’s a good idea to check on the deceased from time to time, to make sure former PGA Tour members are doing well. It’s safe to say that some of them can still play. Defending champion Brooks Koepka posted 67 on the day. He had an eagle and three birdies that day, with only one stumble at the 17th. He is tied for 7th. Bryson DeChambeau made his own eagle, but also made a bogey, on the 12th hole. He cohabits in eleventh position with Cameron Smith, who ALSO had a bogey on his card. They are one shot behind Koepka, and a handful more from the leader.

4. Sahith and Tony chasing Schauffele

Both Finau and Theegala represent a special type of athletic golfer. Their power and charisma combine to attract golf enthusiasts to their groups. Let’s also be honest and say that this is not the case. look like the traditional professional golfer. Just like Tiger Woods did in the 1990s, they have the power to bring greater diversity to the sport.

In terms of play today, well, only Alex was better. Finau had a blank card, with six birdies and twelve pars. Theegala made seven birdies, ten pars and one bogey. Everyone combined power and finesse to place themselves squarely in the running, before the second round. How will they and Alex handle the putting surface Friday afternoon? This is the great unknown!

5. All these other guys are here!

Rory, Tom Kim, Collin and Viktor are all at minus three or less. Valhalla may not be a traditional golf course, but it’s the type of course that the world’s best play well on. McIlroy currently sits at minus-five, tied with Robert MacIntyre, Kim and three others in fourth place. Maverick McNealy finished quickly to reach the same figure, as did Tom Hoge. Morikawa closed with a birdie to join the sextet at five below. Scheffler and Morikawa finished their rounds late Thursday, meaning they should see smoother greens Friday morning. If anyone is a punter, wiser bets couldn’t be placed on better names than these two, two-time, major champions. Rory will start in Friday afternoon’s heat, but hey, it’s Rory, and he won last week at Quail Hollow, a course not unlike Valhalla.

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