Q|9 Vol. 42 - Big Tex/U.S. Open & Memorial Week
From Kokrak’s W to two big events on the calendar, stay up to date with the world of golf
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What’s up, golf fans?!
A Tuesday edition you ask? Yup. I’m in the middle of a move so I’m whipping this together while I take a break from lugging boxes around.
Let’s get to it!
No. 1
Big Tex
Jason Kokrak isn’t from Texas but he sure as hell could be.
The Cleveland resident - who was actually born in North Bay, Ontario (go Canada) - outdueled Jordan Spieth to win the Charles Schwab Challenge and take home the most Texas set of prizes of all time.
First, a giant trophy and an oversized tartan jacket.
Then a big, old truck.
And finally, a giant check!!
The win marked Kokrak’s second of his career, both of which have come in his last 17 starts.
No. 2
Sunday scaries
Spieth stunk on Sunday, shooting a 3-over 73 to lose by two.
“ I was just really off with my golf swing. I really lost it this weekend.”
Uh- oh?
It’s probably nothing to overreact to but certainly something to monitor for Spieth as he plays at Muirfield Village this week.
No. 3
Mr. Nice Guy
Justin Thomas donated some of his earnings from Colonial to help Mike Visacki - the mini-tour grinder who went viral after qualifying at the Valspar Championship.
A video surfaced of the somewhat awkward interaction, and I’ll admit, from the Brooks-Bryson beef to this, the Player Impact Program is starting to cloud my judgment on what is genuine or not.
For now, I’ll believe that Thomas made the gesture out of the kindness of his heart.
No. 4
LPGA drama
At the match play event on the LPGA Tour (held a week before a major - bizarre scheduling) Shanshan Feng advanced all the way to the semi-finals but lost. Instead of playing in the consolation match, she conceded rather than grinding for another 18 holes.
At the time, Feng had played 112 holes over five days, and bailing on the consolation match only cost her $23,000.
With the U.S. Open on deck, this seems like a wise business decision. Well played!
Ally Ewing beat Sophia Popov to win the tournament.
No. 5
U.S. Open
Staying with the LPGA Tour, the best ladies in the world will be at Olympic Club for the U.S. Open.
I don’t quite remember Webb Simpson’s victory at Olympic Club back in 2012 but from everything I’ve seen so far, the San Francisco venue looks amazing.
Odds:
Inbee Park 12-1
Jin Young Ko 14-1
Hyo Joo Kim 16-1
Lydia Ko 16-1
Sei Young Kim 16-1
So Yeon Ryu 16-1
Nelly Korda 16-1
Ariya Jutanugarn 22-1
Jessica Korda 22-1
Danielle Kang 25-1
Brooke Henderson 25-1
No. 6
One to watch
Rachel Heck just ended her first year at Stanford with five straight victories including the NCAA individual title. She set the single-season scoring record of 69.72 and won the Annika Award as the nation’s top female golfer.
Heck will compete in the U.S. Open as an amateur and has to be considered a contender despite little experience in the pro ranks. She’s made two of three cuts at majors in her only starts on the LPGA Tour.
No. 7
Memorial week
The PGA Tour heads to Jack’s Place for the Memorial Tournament.
This staple on the calendar boasts another strong field - a mini-major if you will - with 18 of the top 30 players in the world teeing it up at Muirfield Village.
Defending champion Jon Rahm will have his work cut out for him if he wants to repeat. Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth are all gunning for his title.
Last year, Muirfield Village played ridiculously tough as Nicklaus pushed the course to its brink because the course began its renovation while the tournament was still being played.
Nearly every hole had something changed. You can read every change made here.
No. 8
Picks!
I’m rolling with Patrick Reed - something about this week feels like an opportunity for Captain America to make a splash. It’s a tough setup with a stacked field and he’s been playing pretty well as of late.
My lovely wife is taking Gary Woodland, who I also like this week. Woodland has clearly regained his form and has some nice history at Muirfield Village. He came 5th at the Workday Charity Open last year and came fourth at the Memorial in 2016.
No. 9
Who is No. 1?
CBS’s Kyle Porter dove into the topic of who is the No. 1 player in the world *right now.*
It’s a fantastic debate without an obvious answer. I threw out that I believe it’s between Spieth and JT at the moment and got roasted for even considering the No. 2 ranked player in the world who won The Players a couple of months ago. People are so mean.
Porter chose Rahm but the more I think about it, I really do think Spieth is the best player in the world as of today. Who do you think it is?
I will not be back with another newsletter this week - taking some deserved time off to settle into the new place.
See ya on the 1st tee,
Eric
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Skoooo Gary 🥲
womens us open will be epic go brooke