Welcome again to the Monday End, the place we hope you’re ready to feign pleasure while you open probably the most weird, ineffective golf reward you’ve ever imagined out of your well-intentioned-but-golf-illiterate aunt and uncle. To the information!
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GOLF STUFF I LIKE
Charlie’s ace — and the opposite ace, too.
In case you’ve made your option to this web site it’s probably you’ve already seen Charlie Woods‘ hole-in-one from Sunday on the PNC Championship, however even a day later it appears surreal. Essentially the most well-known child in golf performs two rounds (that’s eight par-3s) on TV per yr and makes an ace on one among ’em?! The daddy-and-son Woods tandem, plus Sam the caddie, get to have fun Charlie’s first hole-in-one all wearing household colours whereas in rivalry on Sunday? Wonderful.
They wound up dropping in a playoff to Bernhard and Jason, the members of Group Langer, who matched the Woods’ Sunday 57 (each days are a two-man scramble) however nonetheless left the course beaming. Requested to rank the day in his all-time {golfing} recollections, Charlie didn’t hesitate. “No. 1. It’s not even shut,” he stated. Tiger referred to as it “the joys of a lifetime.” It was golf’s feel-good household second for the vacations.
However I’d prefer to steer somewhat shine within the path of Paddy Harrington. No, not Padraig, whose parenting recommendation we parroted on this column simply final week. However Paddy, his son, who made the second ace of the day simply minutes after Charlie’s.
On this case, too, the daddy might have been much more excited than the son.
“I used to be too excited. You couldn’t have talked to me. I used to be gone,” he stated. “This can be a nice occasion, and all of it’s nice, and we attempt to play effectively — however that was sheer pleasure.”
Pleasure and household main into the vacation season? That’s golf stuff I like.
WINNERS
Who received the week?
Bernhard and Jason Langer received the PNC Championship; the win was Bernhard’s record-setting sixth and Jason’s record-setting fourth. Jason is a 25-year-old funding banker who performs golf sparingly, which signifies that a few of you, my expensive readers, are only one legendary father away from a PNC Championship, too.
John Parry received the Afrasia Financial institution Mauritius Open, the self-described “most lovely week” in golf, due to 4 birdies and an eagle in his remaining seven holes. The Englishman received on the DP World Tour in his 2010 rookie season — however he hadn’t received since. He’s as much as No. 102 on the earth and begins 2025 at No. 1 on the tour’s order of advantage.
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler threw down a commanding victory over Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka at midnight, chilly, however nonetheless intriguing Showdown, incomes an entire bunch of bitcoin within the course of.
And [digs deeper] Veer Ahlawat received the Tata Metal Tour Championship on the Skilled Golf Tour of India, closing with 64 to win the tour finale and work his method again inside the highest 500 on the earth within the course of.
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NOT-WINNERS
A number of golfers who didn’t win however nonetheless kinda received.
On the PNC, Tiger and Charlie shot a record-setting 59-57, which was in some way not adequate. I do know it’s a brief course, a scramble and a comparatively light setup. However I’m nonetheless blown away by these scores.
Behind the Langer-Woods tie at at 27 below was a three-way tie for third at 23 below between Group Duval, Group Harrington and Group Singh. Crowded within the bronze medal spot!
In Africa, heralded novice Christo Lamprecht completed T2, the most effective results of his younger professional profession. He’s as much as No. 476 on the earth and I feel it’s secure to wager that quantity shall be even decrease by the top of 2025.
And longtime fan favourite Eddie Pepperell, who misplaced his card on the finish of the 2024 DP World Tour season, led by 54 holes in Mauritius earlier than stumbling to a Sunday 74. His T9 end was nonetheless his greatest in over a yr.
SHORT HITTERS
5 takes from Fred {Couples}.
A enjoyable, wide-ranging Fred {Couples} pre-tournament press convention included the next:
On his first PNC look along with his stepson Hunter: “I’ve seen sufficient of it that each professional that walks off the 18th inexperienced says it was the best week of their lives. And if I don’t say that, any person higher come and shoot me.”
On texting with Tiger pre-PNC: “He stated, Dude, I’m so excited for you. It’s simply the grasp that you just’re going to like. And I already know all that, however then he stated, You wish to play? I stated, No, we’re not enjoying with you and Charlie. That isn’t going to occur.”
On watching The Showdown: “I received a textual content from somebody: ‘Are you watching this?’ Truly from Joe LaCava. I don’t even have to say what the textual content was about. However then after I turned it on, they had been on, I feel, the fifth gap. It was pitch darkish and freezing. Now, I don’t know why they might do this, to play a match that massive … y’know, it was simply bizarre.”
On whether or not the PGA Tour wants higher entertainers: “Once you play effectively, you’ve received to offer the folks greater than they anticipate. And while you play poorly, that’s when it turns into you don’t wish to do something silly … we now have to get folks to like the golf once more.”
On PGA Tour modifications: “I really like watching it. I don’t have any issues with smaller fields, extra money. I don’t suppose there’s any downside with that in any respect.
“I feel the Tour is being carried by the most effective gamers. And for those who’re not the most effective gamers in the intervening time, you will be. However it shouldn’t simply be straightforward. They need all of it straightforward for those who’re seventy fifth to one hundred and thirtieth on the cash record. And each time you go to a event, all of the indicators while you drive in are all of six or eight or 10 guys. And I feel they run the Tour.”
ONE SWING THOUGHT
Will McGee get philosophical.
This one isn’t a swing thought a lot as a life thought from Annika Sorenstam‘s son Will McGee, who loves the PNC Championship as a lot as anyone. The 13-year-old lefty was requested pre-tournament how excited he felt for the weekend and, effectively…
“I sit up for this week yearly. It’s like, I’m pleased that it’s proper right here, but it surely’s additionally unhappy as a result of in a couple of days it’s already gone.”
Sigh.
ONE BIG QUESTION
What did we find out about Tiger?
This time yearly for a decade-plus we attempt to learn the tea leaves and mission ahead on Tiger Woods‘ physique, his well being, his potential upcoming schedule. When he skipped the Hero World Problem a pair weeks in the past that appeared like a foul signal. However what’d we be taught this week?
Largely it was encouraging. Woods walked 18 holes three days in a row. His ball pace numbers had been promising. He hit a bunch of excellent photographs, and he made a bunch of clutch putts, and whereas it’s robust to match this to the strain of like, a significant championship, there’s a totally completely different kind of strain that comes from not eager to disappoint your teenage son.
However Woods was additionally very intentional about managing expectations. He stated he was rusty. He stated the chilly climate bothered him. He stated he was nowhere near tournament-ready. He dismissed his good photographs as “I’m a superb scramble associate.” It’s clear that Woods doesn’t need anybody to suppose he’ll be within the combine at Augusta, say.
Nonetheless, he can’t stop the concept. And it’s clear how exhausting he’s nonetheless working in direction of that aim.
“It’s coaching, every day, doing the little issues and hold progressing, and I’ll hold progressing ahead into subsequent yr,” he stated. So what did we be taught? That the whole lot continues to be on the desk.
ONE THING TO WATCH
Xander.
Our newest visitor on Warming Up: The World No. 2 and world’s latest two-time main champ, Xander Schauffele. Need to know what it’s like to hold with Xander? Right here’s an hour on the vary speaking hooks, fades, mindset, course of, profitable, Augusta Nationwide, Tiger, his father Stefan and far, way more. Watch right here — or bookmark for later!
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NEWS FROM SEATTLE
Monday End HQ.
Our Monday End employees (that’s me) has escaped to southern California for the week, the place we now have a jam-packed few days of meals, household, soccer, festivities — and even a correct 18 holes deliberate for 12/26. Merry Christmas, pleased holidays and far love from the Monday End to all of you. It’s an actual reward to have you ever right here. Particularly for those who’ve made it to the top.
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Dylan Dethier is a senior author for GOLF Journal/GOLF.com. The Williamstown, Mass. native joined GOLF in 2017 after two years scuffling on the mini-tours. Dethier is a graduate of Williams Faculty, the place he majored in English, and he’s the writer of 18 in America, which particulars the yr he spent as an 18-year-old dwelling from his automobile and enjoying a spherical of golf in each state.
