We had a PGA Tour event decided on the 72nd hole at TPC Craig Ranch, which is something the Tour itself and golf fans would sign up for on a week-to-week basis, but the drama that unfolded on Sunday wasn’t all that interesting. This is something that is becoming a trend in the signature-event era of the PGA Tour.
On the other side of the planet in Singapore, Brooks Koepka found the winner’s circle over on LIV Golf. Not only does the victory show that he’s in form two weeks out from his PGA Championship defense, but it’s a reminder that he still very much has the ability to win golf tournaments that aren’t major championships.
Winning golf tournaments and Jordan Spieth, on the other hand, do not co-exist at the moment. After another missed cut at what was a home game for him at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, we’ve got to continue asking the question: what the hell is going on with Spieth?
Taylor Pendrith Wins The CJ Cup, And Nobody Outside Of Canada Will Care
Taylor Pendrith, the long-hitting Canadian, earned PGA Tour victory numero uno at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson with a birdie on the last. Ben Kohles all but gift-wrapped the win for Pendrith after becoming the only player in the entire field to bogey the 18th hole on Sunday, but Pendrith does deserve credit for making a birdie on the 72nd hole to win by one shot and avoid a playoff.
On the surface, a player making birdie on the final hole and his counterpart unfortunately suffering a choke session to close things out sounds interesting. But when that scenario unfolds between two players only diehard golf fans have ever heard of on an incredibly forgettable golf course, the nerves and drama simply aren’t there.
Kohles making bogey was the latest reminder that winning on the PGA Tour is insanely hard and kudos to Pendrith for getting the job done, but those two things don’t equate to exciting golf.
This is what is to be expected, however, when we’re in this age of signature events on Tour combined with some of the game’s biggest stars playing over on LIV.Â
Just look at the first page of this week’s leaderboard:
We used to get leaderboards like this even when Signature Events and LIV Golf weren't part of the equation, but now there are completely different tours being held all over the world, and the PGA Tour itself is giving top players the chance to play. I'm just encouraging you to do it. With signature events, major championships, and the FedEx Cup Playoffs, this “off” week will make you feel more off than ever.
Unfortunately, given the current state of professional golf, there is no way to fix that. The PGA Tour's path to success relies on its biggest stars competing in signature events, hoping its major championships continue to be as active and successful as ever, and that golf fans don't care about the playoffs. Just hope you have enough stamina to pretend. End of the year.
Let's talk about Jordan Spieth
Speaking of prayers on the PGA Tour, it's safe to say we were hoping to see Jordan Spieth play at TPC Craig Ranch over the weekend, but after a dominant 70 on Friday's opening Trunk Slam. That was unthinkable.
Spieth's 2024 campaign was interesting, but not in a good way. After opening the year with a solo 3rd place at The Sentry, T-6 at Phoenix, and then being disqualified for strangely signing the wrong number at The Genesis, things quickly went downhill. Ta.
Spieth has started 11 games this season and missed five suspensions, four of which have come in the past six tournaments. His missed cut at the Masters was a bit of a headache, as was his T-39 at RBC His Heritage, but when you add in his missed cut at the CJ Cup, Byron Nelson is a cause for concern. We have officially reached an all-time high. For Spieth.
It's hard to believe this is true, but Jordan Spieth has won just two golf tournaments since he hoisted the Claret Jug in July 2017. Anyone who expected that after his win at the British Open would have been laughed at, but here we are.
Whether you have a potentially lingering wrist injury, simple burnout, or just need a change of pace with caddy Michael Greller, something has to give here.
Brooks Koepka wins in Singapore, remarkable in every way
Hmm, could you take a look at that? Brooks Koepka is trending in the right direction with less than two weeks until the opening round of the PGA Championship.
Some are wondering if Koepka is in a good position heading into his second major championship of the year after virtually missing out on the Masters and showing real signs of frustration over the last month. Well, his two-stroke victory in Singapore answered those questions, as he clearly found something with his putter, especially on his way to his fourth victory at LIV Golf.
The number four is important to Koepka because it is the same number of regular PGA Tour wins he had before moving to the Saudi-backed circuit.
After the win in Singapore, the topic of Koepka's inability to turn on in regular tournaments had never been quieter.
Returning to No. 4, Koepka will be looking to win his fourth PGA Championship at Valhalla in two weeks. Not only does he seem to have regained a lot of confidence, but Valhalla is a good fit for his game and he knows a thing or two about winning the PGA Championship.