While the QBE Shootout marked, basically, the final event of the 2021 season, albeit an “unofficial” event, here are a few final observations regarding some of the pricipals.
Kevin Na: This guy is incredibly entertaining with the putter in his hand. When he went on that seven-straight-birdie-binge on Sunday, dude was walking them in the way he loves to. Best putter on the PGA Tour. Justin Thomas might want to spend some time with him next time the two are near each other on the practice green.
Jason Kokrak: Surprising what a win can do for a player’s confidence level. Like he told Na earlier in the final round — he’d be there at the end when they needed him. They needed him and the big guy was indeed there. He’s turned into a guy who can win two times a season.
Sam Burns: Still rolling, look for a big 2022 out of this guy.
Jason Day: Struggling. Making swing changes to save his career but remains a shell of the guy who was once No. 1 in the world.
Harris English/Matt Kuchar: Once again a very effective team. Two Sea Island residents who have that kind of chemistry.
Sean O’Hair: He keeps getting invites to the event thanks to a past victory with Steve Stricker and that was a long time ago. O’Hair has basically lost his Tour card, has to rely on getting into lesser events with the “past champion, 150 FedEx Cup” semi-status. Got sick of Sands and Byrum calling him a “great ball striker.” If that’s the case, he must be the world’s worst putter.
Will Zalatoris: When will this guy putt well enough to sneak in the winner’s circle? Will it happen in 2022?
Lexi Thompson: Lexi had an incredible two days of putting performance in the scramble and modified alternate shot portions. When it came to best-ball and she had to play from the back tees, she and partner Bubba Watson could only managed a four-under par 68, which was the high round of the 12 teams on Sunday. Would love to see Nelly Korda play in this event.
Ryan Palmer/Matt Jones: These guys started okay but had the second highest score in the modified alternate shot format last Saturday, second worst to the 71 by Hudson Swafford and Brian Harmon.
Bubba Watson: Bubba hit the crazy shot of the tournament during the Friday scramble round. At the short, drive-able par four 13th, Bubba’s drive came in hot, just right of the green. It hit a spectator on the forearm, bounced left and finished just 10 feet from the hole. Lexi missed but Bubba made the 10-footer for eagle. Double-whammy for the guy who got hit. He was wearing a Buffalo Bills tee-shirt and his Bills got upended by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday in a thrilling overtime finish — touchdown pass from Tom Brady (who else?) to Breshad Perriman.
Jessica Korda Ties The Knot:
LPGA Star Jessica Korda say the old “I do’s” this past weekend — she married Johnny DelPrete. DelPrete is a former PGA Tour player who is now a real estate agent in Palm Beach Country who grew up in Jupiter.
