Maybe world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler summed everything up on Wednesday on the eve of the Canadian Open with this simple observation:
“I haven’t really noticed anyone missing this week, maybe outside of D.J.”
So now we hear that Bryson DeChambeau may be casting his lot with “Phil And The Pirates” as he’s contemplating showing up for the first LIV Series event on American soil when the Saudi Circus moved to Pumpkin Ridge outside Portland, July 1-3.
Seems Patrick Reed is of the same mindset and it sure wouldn’t break a lot of hearts if the old sand-swiper himself got the boot from the PGA Tour. If/when DeChambeau tees it up in Portland, he’ll be the first relevant Tour star to jump ship.
There’s something going on with Bryson. Perhaps that hand surgery got him thinking about the longevity of his career. There have been observers who question the long-term ability of DeChambeau to swing as hard as he does, or used to. At The Memorial it all looked about 60 percent and that’s understandable, given how much recovery time is needed from his particular surgery.
Part of it all is the fact that Bryson is, indeed, a pretty smart guy but some tour insiders will tell you he’s not as smart as he thinks he is.
Bryson’s had a shaky relationship with the Tour. One Tour source put it this way:
“It began to feel like an unwinnable situation. It was clear that he (DeChambeau) did not feel like he had to play by anyone’s rules.”
Truth of the matter is that if Bryson doubts his own longevity, and perhaps he does, deep inside, then taking this big money grab could start to make sense.
But there’s already been fallout for DeChambeau — Rocket Mortgage has ended its relationship with him as one of the company’s brand ambassadors.
As for Reed, he’s an outlaw from the get-go. He’s gone through a series of managers, getting rid of those who don’t tell him what he wants to hear.
Reed hasn’t been a factor at the top of a PGA Tour event for quite a while. So far in 2022, Reed’s missed four cuts and has just one top 10 finish — a tied for seventh at Colonial.
If Reed does indeed leave for the LIV, that will end his Ryder Cup saga. It’s pretty much where he made his reputation and perhaps he got the message last go-round when he was left out of consideration.
So when it comes to these guys, if you had to ask fellow Tour players off the record, their response would probably be: “Hate seeing you go, but love watching you leave.”
Amateur Leads Scandinavian Mixed In Sweden:
Last week Swedish amateur Ingrid Lindblad caught the golf world’s attention at the U.S. Open. On Thursday in Sweden, it was Italian amateur Carolina Melgrati’s turn.
Melgrati shot a five-under par 65 at the Halmstad Golf Club, highlighted by a back nine 30 and shared the first round lead in one of golf’s most unique events — the Scandinavian Mixed.
Ladies from the LET Tour play in the same groups with men from the DP World Tour. Two different sets of tees but otherwise, the same setup with one prize for the winner be it male or female.
Melgrati was tied with Craig Howe of Scotland, Matthieu Pavon of France and Santiago Tarrio from Spain.
Hall of Fame star Annika Sorenstam was in the field but struggled and shot a two-over par 74. As for Lindblad, she made the trans-Atlantic trip after the U.S. Open and had a good opening round — a three-under par 69 that had her tied for 27th.
As for the co-leader, Melgrati, she was delighted with her play. “It is probably a result of working hard and it is paying off,” she said after her round. “I’m just trying to focus on hitting fairways and hitting greens and then making putts. When it works it’s great, when it doesn’t you just have to go back and practice it some more.”
Scandinavian Mixed Scoreboard:
LPGA Tour Back At Shoprite Classic:
The LPGA Tour is back in action today (Friday) with first round action at the Shoprite Classic.
Celine Boutier fired a final round 63 to edge Jin Young Ko and Inbee Park.
8 Comments
baxter cepeda
Initially I was in disagreement with this question but the fact is Bryson probably did take injuries into consideration.
Anyone can get hurt and not make money. So if people can make tons of money now, securing their future, yes of course injury concerns play a role for everyone.
I remember talking about Lydia ko when she was 15. People like me argued she needs to get hers before a potential slump or whatever. Well Lydia did get hers before a fairly epic slump. She is coming back but honestly may never be the same as she was those first years. So she did the right thing back then. And so is Bryson. Not that my opinion matters. It’s about what he thinks is best for him.
I agree Bryson’s actions show a brain not as gifted as his persona may make people believe, but this is not close to one of his dumb dumbs. This guy just made more money by just signing with Norman then he would make over many years playing prestigious events like the John Deer on Monahans tour.
Rocket mortgage dropped him for obvious reasons. Any sponsors with an already diminished field on the pga tour will likely drop players for now.
But Bryson is coming back. And Bryson is not the only relevant golfer. He may not even be the most relevant golfer with LIv.
Stop the denials. LIv has a group of serious stars in this game. Major champs. And as we clearly know by now more will continue trickling in.
Tom Edrington
I’m looking at the scoreboard and I’m laughing at you Baxter; Field is packed with has-been and guys who never will be.
baxter cepeda
Sure Tom. That comment isn’t the laughable one. Keep thinking the only good players are the ones who had a good last year. Golf is extremely cyclical. Many of the guys in this Liv tour are the ones who keep coming back for strong runs.
Tom Edrington
Baxter, stop making me laugh. LIV is nothing more than a place where has-beens are going. With Bryson signing, he’s the first really relevant player but he’s had a rocky relationship with the Tour for as long as he’s been out there….
baxter cepeda
Bryson’s not the only really relevant player. I’m not even going to get into the names. You can look at the list. But that’s just not even close to true. Unless you really don’t know how good these players are, which I must say sometimes I wonder Tom.
And again, this is only the beginning. The pga tour is in big trouble Tom. It’s gonna keep getting worse if they don’t adjust. Now we’re learning these huge signings from LIv are just for a few years. So many of the guys will sign multiple deals.
The funny thing is the pga tour can still have these guys for over 30 weeks a year but are foolishly telling the great players to stay way.
Idiots.
Tom Edrington
Jay Monahan sounded pretty confident today……HUGE crowds in Canada compared to sparse curiosity seeks in England; What gets me is no free speech in the media center, truly sounds like the Saudis.
baxter cepeda
Free speech got phil in trouble.
Tom Edrington
No, calling the Saudis what they really are got him in hot water.