You might dub 2022 as the Year Of The Outlier Contenders on the PGA Tour.
Last week it was Davis Riley and Matthew NeSmith stepping up as third and second round leaders at the Valspar. Riley eventually tied with defending champion Sam Burns, losing to Burns on the second playoff hole at Innisbrook Resort.
NeSmith tied the course record (61) during Friday’s second round and nearly shot 60. He eventually tied for third with Justin Thomas. It was NeSmith’s best-ever finish on the PGA Tour. Same for Riley.
At The Players, it was Anirban Lahiri nearly pulling off the big upset as he eventually lost by just one shot to Aussie Cameron Davis.
With the WGC Match Play in Austin landing the big names this week — it’s the Corales-Puntacana Championship for the outliers — or “all you others” if you will.
Joel Dahmen picked up his first Tour win last year at this event and heads this week’s field.
Two really good players have come over from the DP World Tour to compete — the Hojgaard twins from Denmark — Rasmus and Nicolai. Both are winners on the DP World Tour.
Sahith Theegala, who captured the hearts of the big crowds at the Phoenix Open, where he finished third, is one of the pre-tournament favorites this this “opposite field” event. Theegala finished seventh last week at the Valspar.
Peter Uihlein could be in that “pre-tournament favorite” category as he comes in off a Korn Ferry Tour win at the Louisiana Open last week in Lafayette.
Whoever wins in these “opposite field” events — their eventual goal is to rise high enough in the rankings to not have to play in them.
1934 Masters Ticket Sells For Record $600,000:
The folks at Golden Age auctions are puffing their chests over this one.
They have sold a 1934 Masters ticket for a whopping $600,000.
But this one’s no ordinary ticket from that year. It’s signed by 17 participants from that year including the winner — Horton Smith. For the record, Bobby Jones signed it, so did the great Walter Hagen.
It’s the highest price every paid for a ticket in any sport. Previous high was $480,000 paid for a Jackie Robinson debut ticket.
LPGA Tour Back In Action, Nelly Korda Is Not:
The LPGA Tour returns to the good old USA this week with the JTBC in Carlsbad getting underway on Thursday.
World No. 2 Nelly Korda will not be in the field — she’s still recovering from the blood clot in her arm.
Defending champion at Aviara Golf Club is Hall of Fame member Inbee Park. Park shot 14-under last year on her way to the win.
Aviara is a strategic course where long hitters have no advantage — and in those circumstances, players like Park can thrive.
