Q|9 Vol. 43 - Saso makes history, Memorial overshadowed by COVID
From two playoff finishes to bizarre happenings off the course, stay up to date with the world of golf
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What’s up, golf fans?!
It was a BUSY week in golf both on and off the course. Let’s get right to it.
No. 1
Yuka Saso
Get used to hearing the name Yuka Saso.
The 19-year-old Filipino won the U.S. Women’s Open in a three-hole playoff over Nasa Hataoka to tie Inbee Park as the youngest champion ever.
She became the first golfer - both male or female - from the Philippines to win a major golf championship, as well.
Saso started the day trailing Lexi Thompson by a stroke and dropped further back with two double-bogeys in her first three holes. However, a late rally in combination with Thompson’s collapse got Saso into a playoff and a birdie on the third hole sealed her first LPGA title.
This stat still blows my mind.
Saso gave an incredible winner’s speech/interview where she broke down in tears realizing what she had just accomplished. She thanked Rory McIlroy, who she watched YouTube videos of trying to resemble his swing, afterward for the encouragement he shared on Instagram Saturday night.
Rory returned the favor after Saso’s win.
This is such a great story and so good for women’s golf.
However, one thing that sucked was NBC bailed on the coverage of the playoff to show gymnastics. They also moved up Sunday tee times and had the women play in final-round threesomes to avoid the gymnastics coverage, which clearly didn’t happen. It’s a shame that one of the biggest stages in golf still cannot maintain a prime viewing slot. There’s no chance they would have moved coverage to Golf Channel if it were the men’s U.S. Open.
Also - shoutout to Megha Ganne, the 17-year-old amateur who played in the final group on Sunday. She won over a ton of fans with her incredible performance and will most certainly be a name going toe-to-toe with Saso for years to come.
No. 2
Lexi’s collapse
While Saso remains a worthy champion, the tournament was Thompson’s to lose as she held a five (could have been six) shot lead at the early stages of the final round. But a back-nine 41 ruined it for Lexi, which included a bogey on her final hole to miss the playoff.
Despite the tough defeat, she displayed a ton of class following her tough Sunday and stayed around to sign autographs for fans.
She’s been close so many times before in major championships so this one must have really stung. It’s still wild to me that Thompson just competed in her 15th U.S. Open and she is only 26. She played in her first when she was 12!!!
No. 3
Rahm’s COVID test
The wildest story of the week goes to Jon Rahm, who was forced to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament with a six-shot lead after 54 holes.
The Spaniard walked off the 18th green after posting an 8-under 64 and was informed of the news immediately.
It was a bizarre scene and one that the live broadcast did a good job of handling after Rahm was put in a strange situation. His reaction to the news made you believe something much worse (not to downplay COVID) as he immediately hunched over in disbelief.
It’s unclear why Tour officials had to inform Rahm of the positive test a few feet from the green and in front of hundreds of people, but perhaps it was done so he could limit contact with people after his round.
Regardless, rules are rules, and Rahm was forced to withdraw. Had he been in a tie for 40th or leading by six, the same rules apply. Afterward, we learned that Rahm had been in the Tour’s testing protocol all week and had tested negative every day until Saturday.
No. 4
Handled well
It can’t be easy to learn that you no longer have a really good chance at winning on the PGA Tour and earning $1.6 million, but Rahm handled the situation with class.
I’m sure the golf gods will return the favor to him at some point in the future.
No. 5
Cantlay wins 2nd Memorial*
With Rahm out of the picture, Patrick Cantlay was able to beat Collin Morikawa on the first playoff hole to win his second Memorial and fourth PGA Tour title.
For fans, the tournament was far more exciting without Rahm’s dominate six-shot lead but this year’s event will always be remembered as the one Rahm should/would have won.
No. 6
Leaderboard round up
1 - Patrick Cantlay (-13)
2 - Collin Morikawa (-13)
3 - Scottie Scheffler (-11)
4 - Branden Grace (-10)
5 - Patrick Reed (-8)
T6 - Jimmy Walker (-6)
T6 - Shane Lowry (-6)
T6 - Max Homa (-6)
Morikawa clearly has a thing for Nicklaus-designed courses. He won at Muirfield Village last year, won at the Concession, and now has another runner-up result on his resume.
Scottie Scheffler came close to earning his first PGA Tour win again. If he keeps knocking on the door, it will eventually open.
Shane Lowry is in fine form and props to Max Homa, who tends to show up at the toughest tests on Tour.
No. 7
The return
Remember that burner account @useGolfFACTS (how could you forget) that clearly sent an accidental tweet through Patrick Reed’s verified account? Well, it’s back!!!
She (Justine Reed, who we all assume operates the account) came out swinging after Tron from NoLaying Up pointed out that Castore apparel apparently dropped Reed from its lineup.
Then she/he/it (the account) said Reed has been a target of hate crimes from the media. Talk about a stretch!!!!
And of course, she/he/it defended the action of Justine Reed, who allegedly had Patrick’s parents escorted off the grounds of as U.S. Open.
It’s so good to have this Twitter account, which has been on hiatus since it was caught tweeting from Reed’s account, back in our lives.
No. 8
Bryson vs. Brooks continues
While Brooks Koepka took the week off, Bryson DeChambeau gave it a go at Muirfield Village and was repeatedly called “Brooksy” by fans on the grounds.
Apparently, fans who were yelling “Let’s go, Brooksy” at DeChambeau were being escorted off the grounds by security/police officers.
DeChambeau called the heckling “flattering” and said it didn’t bother him. Seems like a lie since he wanted to get the guy who yelled “Brooksy” at him at the PGA Championship kicked out, as well.
Brooks responded to the heckling by thanking his fans for support and offering those who got booted as a result free beer!! You hate to see this feud turn into a marketing/sales ploy but here we are.
Rory is also a fan of the Brooks-Bryson back-and-forth.
No. 9
Time to grow up?
Did Koepka go too far with his encouragement of fans to heckle DeChambeau? Eamon Lynch, who always hits the nail on the head, certainly thinks so.
The beef is fantastic and amazing for both golf and content. But Koepka’s latest step - although he said he’s doing it to try and grow the game - does seem a bit too far.
Plus, the best part about the entire situation started with an authentic video at the PGA. Everything since then has felt manufactured.
Alright, that’s a wrap!
See ya on the 1st tee,
Eric
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