2021 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Preview

Shane Lowry is our top pick to win the 2021 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
 (image: Sky Sports)

 

FIFE, SCOTLAND - After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, the European Tour travels back to the home of golf in Fife, Scotland for the 2021 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

 

This is one of the tour's most prestigious tournaments on the schedule and a fan favourite without question. It is unique in the fact that it is a four-round pro-am split across the trifecta of links courses: The Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie Golf Links and Kingsbarns Golf Links. 

It also boasts a $5 million USD prize fund and 5,500 Race to Dubai points for the winner, the most of the tournaments left on the tour schedule before the DP World Tour Championship in November.

TOURNAMENT HISTORY AND FORMAT

The tournament was first contested in 2001 as the Dunhill Links Championship, making this year it's 20th anniversary. Its format is similar to its PGA Tour counterpart, the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Professionals are paired up with an amateur for the entire length of the tournament. Over the first three rounds, groups will get the chance to play all three courses, with a 54-hole cut being made of the top-60 professionals and top-20 pro-am teams. The final round is then played at the Old Course, where the professional with the lowest 72-hole score is crowned the winner. Likewise, the winner of the pro-am is the team with the lowest 72-hole score.

Over the years, many celebrities and notable persons have had the chance to play this illustrious tournament. This year, the amateur field consists of singer/actor Justin Timberlake, footballer Luis Figo, boxer Wladimir Klitschko and (naturally) Bill Murray, just to name a few. 

Each course this week will test golfers in different ways. Carnoustie, site of the 2018 Open Championship and holder of the title "golf's greatest test", will play at 7,412 yards. Kingbarns will play at 7,150 yards and is the newest of the courses in the rotation. Lastly, the iconic Old Course, with its enduring and prestigious history, will measure 7,307 yards. The chance to play these courses in this format truly is something special.

What is common between all the aforementioned courses is that they are links courses, which is something that is quasi-rare on the European Tour and even more so on the PGA Tour. This is something that has always bothered me about the professional tours, they don't play enough links courses. In my opinion, a links course is the truest and purest form of a golf course; it's where golf was meant to be played. Things are not perfect on a links course; you are constantly at the mercy of the weather and consistency amongst conditions is far from even. It forces a golfer to think in different ways, look for different opportunities, play the non-conventional shot, etc. All of this adds up to a unique golfing experience, and with respect to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, an exciting tournament to watch; our favourite on the European Tour in fact.

JAVIER, SON OF LEGEND SEVE BALLESTEROS, IN FIELD THIS WEEK

Among the 138 professionals in the field this week is one Javier Ballesteros, son of the late Seve Ballesteros. Javier is also a professional golfer who currently plays on the European Challenge Tour. 

 

For Javier, the opportunity is truly special, as this will be his first time playing the Old Course, site of his father's 1984 British Open win, as a professional. This year also marks the 10-year anniversary of Seve's untimely death.

 

 

OUR PICKS THIS WEEK

Notables in the field this week include European Ryder Cup members Tommy Fleetwood, Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry, as well as 2021 BMW PGA Championship winner Billy Horschel. Tony Finau was also scheduled to play in the tournament but pulled out last minute due to a persisting health issue. 

When making picks for this tournament, one needs to take into consideration a golfer's ability to play links golf. Not all professional golfers have the skills necessary to succeed on a links course. In addition, the event offers a large amount of Race to Dubai points, so players looking to get into the DP World Tour Championship at the end of the season will be looking for a good performance this week. Given all this, here are our picks for the winner this week. 

1) Shane Lowry

2) Pablo Larrazabal

3) Billy Horschel 

Lowry is a links golf veteran and coming off a hot week at the Ryder Cup last week. While still surely gutted with the defeat, we think he can carry over his skills to Fife this week. Larrazabal has been playing great golf on tour as of lately, including a T8 finish at the Italian Open. Lastly, Horschel is also playing great, finishing 7th at the Tour Championship (72 hole score) and his iconic win at the 2021 BMW PGA Championship. I believe he's fully embraced European golf and can do well this week. He's also playing with his father this week, as his amateur pairing.

 

Play kicks off very early Thursday morning. If you are interested in seeing a great display of links courses and what links golf really is, check out the coverage of this tournament. You won't be disappointed. 

 

 

Stay tuned for our Weekend Update post to see the storylines and drama heading into the weekend,

 

 

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

 

 

U.S. Dominates at 2020 Ryder Cup, Leading to New Era of American Team Golf

IN DOMINATING EFFORT, TEAM USA WINS THE 2020 RYDER CUP
 

 

HAVEN, WISCONSIN - Although a U.S. win seemed predictable going into Sunday at the 2020 Ryder Cup, no one thought it would happen in this fashion. 

Whistling Straits was again the scene of something truly special. Team USA has won the 2020 Ryder Cup, with a dominating score of 19-9 over Team Europe. This is the largest margin of victory by a Ryder Cup team since the tournament switched to its current format in 1979.

 

 

SUNDAY SINGLES SUMMARY

The lead was 11-5 for the US heading into Sunday singles matches. A win for the US seemed imminent, but there was still hope that the Europeans could stage a comeback.

As the rounds kicked off, it was the Europeans who came out firing, taking the lead in several of their matches. Rory McIlroy, who had performed poorly so thus, went ahead of Xander Schauffele after the first hole and was determined to win his point. He did so, winning 3&2 and becoming only the 5th European player to win a point in the event so far.

But the Americans were quick to quash any chances of a potential comeback. In a momentum-killing match for the Europeans, Scottie Scheffler managed to find an edge over Jon Rahm and was poised to beat him, the player who was responsible for most of Europe's points. 

 

It was a sign of things to come, as the Americans kicked it into overdrive and at one point were leading 9 of the 12 matches. Incidentally, Team Europe needed to win 9 of 12 to retain the cup. It was cruel luck, but just goes to show what players are capable of doing.

 

In the end, the U.S. would win seven points (Cantlay, Scheffler, DeChambeau, Johnson, Koepka, Thomas and Berger) compared to three points by Europe on Sunday. Incidentally, it was Europe's veterans who won the points: McIlroy, Poulter (who remains undefeated in singles) and Westwood, with Hovland and Fleetwood halving their matches against Morikawa and Spieth, respectively. The clinching point for the U.S. was won by Collin Morikawa, who with a birdie on the 17th hole guaranteed the U.S. the half point they needed to get to 14.5.

 

Everything seemed to be going the Americans' way on Sunday and again we saw dominant golf by all. But despite this, there was one player who stood out most. Dustin Johnson, the oldest player on the U.S. team at age 37, won his match against Paul Casey by one point to go undefeated all week, going 5-0-0. This is a remarkable feat and something only done a handful of times under the current format. What's even more impressive is the players he took down along the way: Ian Poulter, Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey, Tyrell Hatton, Bernd Wiesberger and Victor Hovland; exactly half of the European team.

A NEW ERA OF AMERICAN TEAM GOLF IS FORMED

Going into Ryder Cups past, there were always questions about just how much of a team the American players could form. They were higher ranked, drove the ball further, but always struggled in unity. This had been their biggest fault and the cause of much failure over the years. 

These same questions were asked about the younger-than-normal American team this year, but Captain Stricker assured us all that things were different this year. 

 

And boy were they different.

 

What we saw at the 2020 Ryder Cup was the birth of a new era of American team golf, centered around a group of young players who, despite their youth, are highly intelligent and united golfers. A true camaraderie has developed, and as we mentioned in our op-ed on the Ryder Cup, this is something essential to winning. For the first time, I saw an American team where each and every member was friends with one another and supported everyone. We also got to see some amazing partnerships develop, between Johnson and Morikawa, Scheffler and DeChambeau, Schauffele and Cantlay, etc.

 

At their press conference afterwards, this camaraderie was on full display. You could tell that you were watching a group of friends, bonded by such an experience and journey, celebrating their success as one. You could tell something deep had developed and, as Assistant Captain Phil Mickelson said, the nucleus of the U.S.'s team golf future had formed. 

 

It all culminated with a hug between Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, two players once deep in a bitter feud; a sure sign that the ways of old for American team golf had ended and a new era had begun. If this Ryder Cup is any indication, it will be a fun group to watch over the years.

 

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

What we saw this week at the Ryder Cup was something truly special. The golfing skill that the Americans brought to each and every hole and match was simply astonishing. Everyone was firing on all cylinders, all the time, and never let off until the end. As a fan, this edition of the Ryder Cup featured some of the best, guttiest and amazing golf shots I've ever seen.

 

The Americans outplayed the Europeans in virtually every aspect, it's as simple as that. They were more consistent, steadier, and when they struck, struck harder. To me, what was most impressive and a real contrast between the two teams was their iron-play. The rate at which the Americans could stick their approaches close to the hole, despite the situation or conditions, was simply amazing. This is a testament to the raw skill that each U.S. player has in their own regard; its not hard to see why they are some of the top-ranked golfers in the world. Unfortunately, the Europeans could not match this intensity, albeit had brief moments of it.

Not only did we see a dominant performance by the Americans, we saw the birth of a new era of team golf for them. This is something that should be worrisome for the Europeans for future Ryder Cups. The group of 20-something and 30-something year olds that is the American team will be around for a long time. The ball is in the Europeans' court now. They've seen the firepower of this U.S. team and it's up to them to respond for the next Ryder Cup. 

 

***

 

And with that, we unfortunately come to the end of another edition of the Ryder Cup. One of the worst parts of the tournament is waiting the two years for it to be played again. 

 

Speaking of which, the Ryder Cup returns in 2023 and will be played at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy. Europe will be seeking redemption but will need to do some soul-searching before then to prepare for the Americans.

 

Let the countdown begin!

What was your favorite moment from the 2020 Ryder Cup? Let us know in the comments below,

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

US on Brink of Victory Going Into Sunday at 2020 Ryder Cup

Dustin Johnson celebrates after winning a hole during Saturday fourballs
 

 

HAVEN, WISCONSIN - The all important Saturday matches have concluded at the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits and the US has taken a commanding lead of the event. As it stands heading into the Sunday singles matches, the score is 11-5 for the US.

It was a day filled with many ups, downs and lost opportunities, especially for the Europeans who needed a strong counter to the impressive US scoring seen on Friday.

Let's take a look at all the action and drama from the Saturday matches.

MORNING FOURSOMES

 

1) Brooks Koepka/Daniel Berger vs Jon Rahm/Sergio Garcia (3&1)

This match featured Rahm and Garcia, the only members of Team Europe to score points in the event so far. They were hands down the best performing European players at that point, but things started out poorly for them. After three holes, Koepka and Berger found themselves with a three point lead. While demoralizing to European fans, Rahm and Garcia fought back, chipping the lead all the way down by the end of the front nine. The comeback culminated with a chip-in by Garcia at the 9th to bring them to all square. It was all Europe from then on, managing to go 1UP after the 12th and building on their lead right until the end. The Spanish Duo remained undefeated.

 

2) Dustin Johnson/Collin Morikawa (2&1) vs Paul Casey/Tyrrell Hatton

Johnson and Morikawa were a fun pairing to watch on Friday and their play Saturday morning cemented them as a power team for the US. From the start of the match, it was all US, with Johnson and Morikawa taking a 4UP lead at the turn. Credit must be given to Casey and Hatton, who remained determined to win right until the end. The two brought the lead all the way down to 1 point on the 14th, when Casey holed out from 100-yards after Hatton's tee shot found the rough. However, the consistency of good golf on display by Morikawa and Johnson was too much to overcome. They remain undefeated as well.

3) Justin Thomas/Jordan Spieth (2UP) vs Viktor Hovland/Bernd Wiesberger

Thomas and Spieth admittedly were not performing at their best thus far, as neither of them managed to win a match. This looked to continue during their morning match, when Hovland and Wiesberger took a 1UP lead at the 1st hole and grew their lead to three points after the 6th hole. But, Thomas and Spieth would fight back, taking advantage of some poor putting and approaches by the Europeans, and cutting the lead to one after the 9th. A birdie on the 10th squared up the match, but the Europeans would counter with a birdie on the 11th after Thomas and Spieth found trouble. The Americans wouldn't strike again until later in the match, carding birdies on holes 14-16 and swinging the lead to two shots in their favor. Despite a European birdie on the par 3 17th, the match was clutched by Thomas and Spieth after a bogey by the Europeans on the 10th.

4) Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay (2&1) vs Lee Westwood/Matt Fitzpatrick

Westwood and Fitzpatrick were again paired up for their morning matches, hoping to win a point this time. This was a very close match on the front nine, with the lead going back and forth between the two teams. But the US, aided by some great iron-play and putting, took over on the back nine, taking a three point lead after birdies on the 10th and 11th holes, a lead they would hold until the end of the match. Schauffele, despite being a Ryder Cup rookie, has played amazing team golf thus far, and has been key in the US's dominant performance.

At this point in the day, things were looking dismal for Team Europe. The score was 9-3 for the US and only Rahm and Garcia had managed to win matches against the Americans thus far. But, all hope was not lost. The Europeans could put themselves back in it with a strong performance during the afternoon rounds. Plus, the winds were starting to pick up, making for a windy afternoon session at Whistling Straits.

 

AFTERNOON FOURBALLS

 

1) Brooks Koepka/Jordan Spieth vs Jon Rahm/Sergio Garcia (2&1)

The Rahm and Garcia show continued into the afternoon, where the Spaniards struck early, taking a three point lead after carding four birdies on their first seven holes. This match was very exciting and saw some impressive golf shots, between Rahm holing some super long putts that looked like they had no chance at all, to Garcia's indescribable ability to attack the green. You couldn't help but feel that if they lost, Team Europe would have lost. For the US, Koepka, was instrumental in holing long putts to close the gap. The Americans managed to square up the match after a birdie on the 13th hole. But Rahm and Garcia rallied back, making birdie on the 15th hole to retake the lead. A chip-in from Garcia on the 16th hole sealed the deal and kept the two undefeated.

 

2) Tony Finau/Harris English vs Shane Lowry/Tyrrell Hatton (1UP)

When this match began, the winds were howling along the coast holes. This was the perfect scenario for links veteran Shane Lowry, which European captain Padraig Harrington had banked on when he made his pick. This was a very tough match though and a real duel between the two teams. Only three birdies were made between the four players: two for Europe and one for the US. In particular, it was Lowry who was holding up the European side, sinking putt after putt in the most clutch of situations, showing emotion like we've never seen before. It all climaxed on the par 4 18th hole. The Europeans found themselves 1UP, needing to at minimum halve the hole to win. After landing his approach into the steep greenside, Hatton effectively eliminated himself from the hole after his ensuing chip landed short of the green. This put Lowry in a tough spot, as he still had a 10-foot putt to save par and Finau and English had already made their par putts. With the match on the line, Lowry sank the putt, letting out a massive, inspiring yell heard by all. This was probably one of the most important putts of the tournament for Europe, would could not afford to lose anything at this point.

 

3) Scottie Scheffler/Bryson DeChambeau (3&1) vs Tommy Fleetwood/Viktor Hovland

This is the match that the Europeans will be wishing they had won. Scheffler and DeChambeau were struggling with the winds all afternoon, missing fairways and greens at key moments, but Hovland and Fleetwood could not capitalize on their mistakes. The match bounced between 1UP for either side until the par 4 14th hole. DeChambeau was on the green with a lengthy birdie putt, but many believed he was simply lagging the putt to make par. He did not though, and holed the putt, providing a huge momentum boost for DeChambeau and Scheffler and more importantly to square up the match. The duo would birdie holes 15-17 to take the lead and ultimately win the match. This goes to show just how big momentum can be in match play. 

4) Dustin Johnson/Collin Morikawa (4&3) vs Ian Poulter/Rory McIlroy

The Johnson/Morikawa Effect was felt full force by Pouler and McIlroy during this match. The steadiness by Johnson allowed Morikawa to go full out and take on everything. The Americans took an early 1UP lead, but a huge putt by Poulter on the 5th squared up the match. Morikawa then went on a three-hole birdie streak from the 6-8th to boost themselves up to a 3 point lead heading onto the back nine. It was easy sailing for them after this, with Morikawa carding another birdie on the 15th hole to end the match. Johnson and Morikawa were the best pairing of the event, in my opinion, and their dominance proves this. They just seemed to jive together. Playing with a consistent player like Johnson really allowed Morikawa to take chances, and succeed, since he is such a high quality player, particularly his approach game. On the other hand, this is perhaps one of the worst Ryder Cup performances we've seen by Rory McIlroy. He simply could not hole anything, and has only carded two birdies the entire event. Poulter, did show sparks of mounting a comeback, but could not battle Johnson and Morikawa alone. 

***

With the afternoon matches split, the score stands at 11-5 heading into the Sunday singles. There's no need to deny it, a US win is most likely, unless the Europeans can mount a historic comeback. But is a comeback even realistic? To put things into perspective, the infamous "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012 saw the Europeans win after being down 10-6 heading into Sunday. This was the biggest comeback in history.

 

Is it theoretically possible but to get to the magic 14 points to retain the cup, Europe will need to win 9 of 12 available points on Sunday. That means nine European players need to outperform nine US players, when to date, only four have managed to do so. It is improbable, but not impossible. The Europeans have nothing to lose, so why not give it a shot.

The Sunday single matches start at 12PM EST and the pairings can be found here. Have the US storylines already been written for the 2020 Ryder Cup? Or can the Europeans make a comeback? 

 

 

Stay tuned to see who has won it,

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

US Dominates After Day 1 Matches at 2020 Ryder Cup

Justin Thomas makes eagle in afternoon match to aid in US domination on Day 1 of the 2020 Ryder Cup (image: PGA Tour)

 

 

HAVEN, WISCONSIN - The 2020 Ryder Cup is underway and Day 1 of action has concluded. As it stands, the US holds a dominating lead over Europe with a score of 6-2. 

 

This is the largest Day 1 lead of the Ryder Cup since 1975 and was the start that the US was looking for. The team managed to win 40 holes today, versus Europe's 27.

Let's break down today's action match by match.

MORNING FORESOMES

 

1) Jordan Spieth & Justin Thomas vs Jon Rahm & Sergio Garcia (3&1)

Match 1 was the most anticipated pairing of the morning, with both the US and Europe going to their strengths first. The match was tight for the first few holes, with Spieth and Thomas taking a 1UP lead after the 2nd hole, but Garcia and Rahm rallying back to take a 1UP lead after the 4th hole. After this, Rahm took over the match with an impressive display of putting, aiding by accurate iron-play by Garcia. The two had a 3UP advantage after the 10th hole, and won by that amount. On the 17th hole, the last hole of play, Spieth, after a poor tee shot by Thomas, was faced with a dramatic chip shot. Their ball was located on the side of a grassy cliff that surrounds the 17th green. With barely a stance possible, Spieth hit one of the most impressive shots I've seen this year, managing to flop the ball straight up in the air, just feet from the hole and nearly stumbling down the cliff doing so. Unfortunately, Thomas could not make the putt to extend the match, giving Europe their first point. For Garcia, this ties him with Sir Nick Faldo for most match wins at a Ryder Cup with 23.

 

2) Dustin Johnson & Collin Morikawa (3&2) vs Viktor Hovland & Paul Casey

This was an interesting pairing, with both Captains Stricker and Harrington opting to pair one of their rookies with one of their veterans. Johnson and Morikawa struck first, taking a 1UP lead after the first hole, but Hovland and Casey rallied back, winning holes 3 and 4 to go 1UP after the 4th. Johnson and Morikawa, aided by excellent iron play and driving accuracy, countered, winning holes 6 and 7 to go 1UP. This lead would continue and grow onto the back nine, with the Hovland and Casey only wining one point on the back nine, leading to a 3UP win and the first point for the US.

3) Daniel Berger & Brooks Koepka (2&1) vs Matt Fitzpatrick & Lee Westwood  

Captain Harrington again decided to pair youth with experience, but things did not pan out. Koepka and Berger, former college teammates at Florida State, managed to take the lead after the 2nd hole and held onto it all match, with Fitzpatrick and Westwood unable to win a hole from the 7th hole onward. This was a tough loss for Europe, since both Fitzpatrick and Westwood had several putts to win holes but could not convert.

4) Xander Schauffele & Patrick Cantlay (5&3) vs Rory McIlroy & Ian Poulter   

This was perhaps the most surprising result of the day. We knew it would be a good one, given the skill between Schauffele and Cantlay and the experience between veterans McIlroy and Poulter. But the Europeans found themselves in unfamiliar territory, and fast, losing their first five holes, to go five down after five. I think this shocked most fans, who could not believe what they were seeing. Poulter and McIlroy began to muster a comeback on the back nine, winning holes 10 and 11. But the lead proved too large to overcome in the end. 

The score was 3-1 for the US after the morning rounds, which was cause for concern amongst European players and fans alike.

 

 

AFTERNOON FOURBALLS

 

1) Dustin Johnson & Xander Schauffele (2&1) vs Paul Casey & Bernd Wiesberger

For this match, Captain Harrington again decided to pair Casey with a rookie in Wiesberger. This turned out to be ineffective against the well performing Schauffele and Johnson. Again, in a growing trend, the US struck first, going 3UP after five holes. The Europeans managed to cut the lead to one going into the back nine, but the Americans were able to counter, taking the lead back up to three over holes 10 and 11, and held it until the end.

 

2) Bryson DeChambeau & Scottie Scheffler vs Jon Rahm & Tyrrell Hatton (halved)

This match saw the much awaited tournament debut of DeChambeau and Scheffler, who were both fan favorites. The match was very close, going back and forth right until the end. Going into the par 4 18th hole, the Americans held a 1UP lead. A victory seemed imminent, but Hatton saw things otherwise. After hitting a huge tee shot on the 18th and following it up with a close approach onto the green, Hatton sunk his birdie putt to halve the match.

 

3) Tony Finau & Harris English (4&3) vs Rory McIlroy & Shane Lowry

This was a very good match for the Americans, as both Finau and English played very well.  But it was the Europeans who took an early lead, going 1UP after the 5th hole. But, both English and Finau knew exactly what to do and did it, rallying hard over holes 6-10 to gain a 3UP lead, one that would extend to four shots after the 13th hole. This was a good and dominating win for the US.

 

4) Justin Thomas & Patrick Cantlay vs Tommy Fleetwood & Viktor Hovland (halved)

This is the match that the Europeans will be kicking themselves over. Fleetwood and Hovland held a commanding lead in the match, being three points up after 8 holes. But determined not to be had, Thomas and Cantlay managed to make birdies at holes 9 and 12 to chip the lead down to a single point. A huge eagle on the 16th tied the match up and it remained that way until the end. 

 

The score was 6-2 for the US at the end of the day and Europe managed to not win a single match in the afternoon.

***

On the whole, things are not looking good for the Europeans. Simply put, they were outplayed all day by the Americans. They will need a strong performance on Saturday to even think about being in contention. It will be tough, but we've seen just how hard the Europeans can rally when asked to do so. Saturday's match formats will remain the same, with foursomes in the morning and fourballs in the afternoon. Winds are scheduled to pick up as well.

 

Is this the start of a comeback in the making for Europe? It's too early to tell, but Saturday is moving day and a lot can happen. Stay tuned tomorrow for our Day 2 coverage.

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

2020 Ryder Cup Preview

The 2020 Ryder Cup hosted by Whistling Straits is finally here
 

 

HAVEN, WISCONSIN - It is finally here, the long awaited 43rd edition of the Ryder Cup. This time, the infamous Straits course at Whistling Straits, located on the coast of Lake Michigan, plays host. 

 

This is golf's flagship event, the pinnacle of professional golf, on display for us this week. 

The Europeans are the defending champions, after an impressive performance at Le Golf National 2018, but are in enemy territory, as the Americans look to break what has been a Europe-dominated event since the start of the millennium. 

Let's get right into our preview of the 2020 Ryder Cup.

THE FINAL ROSTERS COMPARED

The rosters and captains picks were only finalized just a few weeks ago, with captains watching player performance right until the end of the 2021 FedEx Cup Playoffs.

 

Captained by Steve Stricker, the US roster features Collin Morikawa (r), Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay (r), who automatically qualified for the tournament and Tony Finau, Xander Schauffele (r), Jordan Spieth, Harris English (r), Daniel Berger (r) and Scottie Scheffler (r), who were chosen as captains picks by Stricker. 

On the European side, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Bernd Wiesberger (r), Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland (r), Paul Casey, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Lee Westwood all qualified for the event, with captain Padraig Harrington picking Shane Lowry (r), Sergio García and Ian Poulter, to fill the team. Hovland (Norway) and Wiesberger (Austria) are the first players to represent their respective countries.

At first glance, the European team as a whole is much more experienced in Ryder Cup play, something they will need to rely on heavily playing on US soil. Six of the nine non-rookies on the team have winning records and three of those six (Fleetwood, Garcia and Poulter) have records above 60%. Garcia also holds the records for most career Ryder Cup points at 25.5. Westwood follows closely in 5th place with 23 points (incidentally tied with Arnold Palmer). The European team has an average age of 35 and world rank of 31st.

The American team is younger and theoretically stacked, featuring some of the best players in the world who hit the ball very far. Their average age is 29 and world rank is 9th (the lowest ever rank for a US team), with Dustin Johnson being the oldest on the team at age 37. On paper, the Americans have an advantage here, but as we've seen in Ryder Cups past, this does not always translate into success.

 

We also see some stark differences in the captains picks. Stricker opted to go with younger players with his picks, most of which are rookies, but great players in their own right. Harrington, albeit with less picks, opted for experience in Garcia and Poulter and Lowry, who is the lone rookie pick, but a links veteran. Historically, European picks have fared better in competition, with Europe's picks going 21-19-3 and the US picks going 16-29-2 in the last four Ryder Cups.

Another thing to consider is team chemistry. Typically, Europeans who play on the European Tour are more tight-knit and naturally spend a lot of time with each other, as a result of having to travel across the world for tour events. This is not the case as much for PGA Tour members. How much will this influence team performance this week? Who knows, but as we've seen in the past, having great chemistry is a key advantage at the Ryder Cup.

WHISTLING STRAITS: WHO HAS THE ADVANTAGE?

The iconic Straits course at Whistling Straits is no stranger to high profile events, having hosted the 2004, 2010 and 2015 PGA Championships. The course was designed by Pete and Alice Dye and opened in 1998. For the tournament, it measures a staggering 7,790 yards and par 72. 

The design of the Straits course was meant to replicate the iconic links courses found in the UK and Ireland. Special features include vast elevation changes, undulating tricky greens, and a lot of bunkers/dunes. The course is heavily influenced by the wind and the elements also, being on the coast of Lake Michigan and exposed due to a lack of trees. 

Whistling Straits is a unique pick for a Ryder Cup, especially for an American host, given its links design. The course demands accurate ball-striking and accuracy off the tee, with thick fescue surrounding the holes and numerous bunkers dotted all over the place. Landing the ball on the green is only half the battle, as many of the holes feature tough slopes and tricky pin positions. There's also something to be said about the length of the course, in particular the long par 4s, which can favor longer hitters. Previous golfers, such as Jason Day at the 2015 PGA Championship and Martin Kaymar at the 2010 PGA Championship, all found success at Whistling Straits by excelling in these categories.

 

But perhaps the biggest variable in course difficulty is the weather.  Whistling Straits is very much a  course that must be played in the air, in typical Dye fashion. Given the location of the course however, the winds can pick up at any time and in any direction, making the course virtually unpredictable and increasing difficulty.

 

WHO DO WE THINK WILL WIN?

It is tough to say whether one team outright has a clear advantage or not, there's just too many variables.

 

I think it will be very tricky for both sides. Statistically (and according to betmakers), the US have been given the advantage, with theoretically better players in terms of rankings. But as we've seen in past Ryder Cups, this means nothing unless individual skill can be converted into team success.

I believe Europe has the slightest of advantages overall however. It looks to me like their team is more unified and comfortable around each other, plus the experience they bring with their veteran players like Garcia, Westwood and Poulter cannot be overlooked.

I believe the weather will also play a huge factor, particularly the wind. I think that the Americans tend to flight the ball higher, which could negatively affect them if the winds picks up. On the other hand, strong winds may aid the Europeans, who see these conditions more often. Perhaps this is why Padraig Harrington chose Shane Lowry as a captains pick, for his expertise in links-style conditions. But if the wind is not a factor, I think the Americans can take advantage of the course in some spots with their length. As of now, the weather is forecasted to be cloudy with temperatures around 20 celcius and winds between 10-20mph.

 

Our pick therefore is Europe to win, by a slim margin, perhaps 15-13.

***

Play kicks off early Friday morning with the foursomes matches. Team captains have not released their groupings yet, but all we know is that both teams will be looking to start off strong. 

Since this is a special event, we'll be having daily recaps of the day's action. Also be sure to check out our Twitter feed for live-tweeting during the matches.

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

 

 

The Ryder Cup: Passion and Camaraderie Personified

The Ryder Cup: Passion and Camaraderie Personified
 

 

Every two years, the golfing world comes together for something truly special: The Ryder Cup

Considered one of the most, if not the most, prestigious event in golf, The Ryder Cup remains golf's flagship event that transcends tours, an event so grand it can only be played every two years. To be apart of it, in any way, is career defining.

 

As we head into another edition of the Ryder Cup this week, we take a look at what makes this event so special and revered by the golfing world.

WHAT IS THE RYDER CUP?

For those who do not know, the Ryder Cup is team golf at its finest, the ultimate battle between US and European golfers. 

 

Prior to the event, a captain is chosen for both the US and European teams, typically a previous Ryder Cup member, by former Ryder Cup captains. The 12-player team rosters are then partially filled by player performance, the exact criteria varying between the two teams. After this, to fill up the remaining roster spots, captains make special picks for players they want on their team who did not meet the qualifying criteria. Vice captains are also picked by captains, whose role is to aid the captain in decision-making and partner pairing throughout the event.

 

The Ryder Cup is played over a three day period and is a match play event. It features three golfing formats: foursomes, where teammates alternate shots between them, fourballs, where the best score is taken between teammates and singles, where players are matched up one-to-one. 

 

The goal  is the same across all formats: win the match and you win a point for your team, half the match and you receive half a point for your team. The team with the most points at the end of all the matches wins.

UNITY IN A SPORT OF SOLIDARITY 

Professional golf is an individual sport, where success is determined by one's skill and ability to overcome obstacles, both physically and mentally. 

 

The Ryder Cup takes this to another level. Not only must a player deal with their own internal pressure to succeed, they must succeed with the weight of their team and country/continent on their shoulders.

This is where the team aspect comes into play. The stakes are so high, the challenges so tough. Having a solid team, one filled with positive chemistry and genuine camaraderie is crucial to winning; teammates are all in it together and must succeed together, both on and off the course. A strong support system and genuine belief in one another builds confidence, and with that, golfing ability. It's this camaraderie that blossoms between teammates that, in part, makes the Ryder Cup so fun to watch. Whether it was Ballesteros/Olazabal, Fleetwood/Molinari or Spieth/Reed, fans love to see partnerships develop and succeed.

 

With unity comes passion. It is passion that leads to a desire to win, a desire to succeed for your team. The posterboy for Ryder Cup passion as of recently is Ian Poulter, who for some inexplicable reason always seems to play well during Ryder Cups, regardless of what kind of season he had prior. Passion is present not only in the players, but the fans as well. In a sport that typically features a more subdued fanbase (although this is changing as of late), the Ryder Cup is an opportunity for fans to show their passion in a way not possible during typical tour events. It's akin to a NBA or NHL fanbase during the playoffs, players will get cheers from their fans and boos from their opponent's fans. This is why the 2020 Ryder Cup was postponed to 2021, organizers knew that the tournament would not be the same without the devout fanbase that follows the Ryder Cup.

To create unity in a Ryder Cup team is difficult. The aforementioned camaraderie and passion is something that cannot be studied or forced; it needs to develop naturally. Egos must be suppressed and players must realize that it takes a team to succeed. This is where the Europeans, in my opinion, have excelled over the Americans. The ability for European captains of the past to put together teams that just work is remarkable. It takes a special player to be able to handle the pressures of a Ryder Cup and captains must be able to spot this. This is the reason why some of the best professional golfers do not perform well in the Ryder Cup, it's difficult for them to adjust to the pressure.

 

WHY DO WE WATCH?

While we may all watch the Ryder Cup for different reasons, there is something that unifies us all. I believe that we as fans watch the Ryder Cup to witness history being written, live in front of our eyes. We watch to see teams grow and succeed and watch to see the truly amazing golf that is spawned as a result of this. Anything can happen in the Ryder Cup, at any time. Momentum can swing, players can dominate, the recipe is perfect for us fans.

 

When someone asks me what is so special about the Ryder Cup, I ask them to look at the 2012 Ryder Cup. The Miracle at Medinah, as it was known afterwards, was the first Ryder Cup played after the death of European Ryder Cup legend Seve Ballesteros. The Europeans were down 6-10 heading into the Sunday singles, but against all odds came back, winning 9 of the 12 singles matches and halving one to finish with a score of 14.5 to 13.5. It was a display of golf unlike anything I have ever seen. The raw passion the Europeans had was on full display; they're were winning it for Seve, not for themselves.You can't write storylines like that.

So as another edition of the Ryder Cup is played this week, I encourage all golfing fans to watch the event. I can guarantee it will be like no other golfing event or sporting event you've seen. Be sure to not only watch the golf shots, but the player's emotions, the passion and intensity in each shot, the fan's reactions and enthusiasm, and everything else going on in the background. 

 

 

It'll be easy then to see why this is the flagship event of professional golf,

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

Max Homa Surges on Back Nine to Win 2021 Fortinet Championship

Max Homa Surges on Back Nine to Win 2021 Fortinet Championship

 

 

NAPA, CA - In picturesque Wine Country, something sweet was fermenting. 

 

It was Max Homa's golf game, coming to full fruition on the back nine at Silverado Country Club. The Burbank, CA native has won the 2021 Fortinet Championship with a score of 19-under, one stroke ahead of 36-hole leader Maverick McNealy.

 

This is Homa's third PGA Tour win and his first since the 2021 Genesis Invitational. Aside from a $1.26 million paycheck, Homa becomes fully exempt on the PGA Tour for the rest of the season through to the 2023-2024 season. He also secures a spot in the Sentry Tournament of Champions (next season), The Players Championship, The Masters and the PGA Championship.

A BACK NINE MOMENTUM SWING: HOMA SURGES, MCNEALY FALLS

At the start of the back nine, the storylines were much different.

 

McNealy, in the final group, made the turn at 17-under whereas Homa, in the second-to-last group, made it at 14-under.

 

McNealy, calm and poised as ever, seemed to be cruising on his way to his first PGA Tour win. On the other hand, Homa bogeyed the 10th hole to drop him further away from McNealy and a potential victory.

 

But then, things changed, in Homa's favor, on the short par 4 12th hole. Homa's tee shot found the first cut of fairway rough, 96 yards from the hole. With birdie prospects looking slim, Homa swung his wedge, landed the ball perfectly on the green, and watched it roll in for an eagle, shooting him two spots up the leaderboard.

This was the wake-up call that Homa needed, as he would go on to make an incredible birdie putt on the par 4 13th, to tie McNealy for the lead at 17-under. 

 

Fully in contention now, Homa knew exactly what he needed to do. After an excellent approach shot into the par 5 16th hole green, he was left with a tap-in birdie putt. On the 17th, he yet again made birdie with another huge putt. He would par the par 5 18th hole to shoot a 65 on the day.

Amidst the run that Homa was on, McNealy was cruising at 17-under, after a series of pars, until the par 5 16th hole, where he sunk a tricky putt for birdie. A playoff seemed almost inevitable at this point.

But then, things changed, not in McNealy's favor, at the 17th hole, a short par 4. During his pre-shot routine, something seemed off with McNealy's swing, as noted by Golf Channel TV Commentator and 2008 Masters Champion Trevor Immelman. McNealy's tee shot sliced hard right, hitting a tree and dropping straight down, about 190 yards from the hole. He followed this with an approach shot that overshot the green, then a risky flop shot that also overshot the green. After three-putting, McNealy finished the hole with a double-bogey.

At this point, with Homa in the clubhouse at 19-under, McNealy needed an albatross on the par 5 18th hole just to force a playoff. To his credit, he played the hole excellently, missing the albatross approach shot but holing the ensuing eagle-putt, to finish one short.

SILVERADO BITES BACK... A BIT

Sunday saw a tougher golf course at Silverado, compared to previous days. During the morning rounds, the course remained benign albeit foggy, but as the day progressed, the winds picked up and the course became firmer. This made conditions slightly tougher for those higher on the leaderboard, particularly with approach shots into the harder greens. 

 

The low round on Sunday was a 65, shot by Max Homa and Marc Leishman.

 

In his post round interview, Homa credited his caddie for knowing how the course would change as it firmed up, something that certainly aided in his win. 

 

HOW DID ARE PICKS FINISH?

Our hopes were resting on young Will Zalatoris, let's see how he finished.

1) Jon Rahm: CUT

2) Kevin Na: CUT

3) Will Zalatoris: T11 at 12-under

 

Not a bad finish for Zalatoris, great to see that his form from last season has carried over. As we mentioned in our Weekend Update, the bigger concern is Jon Rahm's form and what state it will be in for the Ryder Cup next week. Only time will tell. 

 

***

 

 

And with that, the first tournament of the 2021-2022 PGA Tour season has concluded, and in great fashion. If the 2021 Fortinet Championship is a sign of things to come, we are in for a great PGA Tour season.

Our coverage next week moves to Michigan for what is perhaps the most exciting event in golf: The Ryder Cup from Whistling Straits. We'll be having special coverage for the Ryder Cup, with daily round recaps and a special op-ed article before the tournament. Be sure to follow our Twitter feed as well for live tweets about the event.

 

Stay tuned for all that and much more!

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

Maverick McNealy Leads 2021 Fortinet Championship

Maverick McNealy Leads the 2021 Fortinet Championship

 

 

The last few holes of the weekday rounds of the 2021 Fortinet Championship are wrapping up at Silverado Country Club. As it stands heading into the weekend, Maverick McNealy leads the tournament with a score of 12-under and a two shot lead over Beau Hossler and Mito Pereira. 

The cut is also projected to be 3-under.

MCNEALY OFF TO A HOT START

McNealy, starting his third year on tour, opened the tournament on Thursday with a 68, in a round that included five birdies and a bogey. 

This momentum continued to Friday where, the California native carded five birdies on his front nine (actually the back nine as he started on the 10th tee). However, things would turn for the worst on the start of his back nine, where he bogeyed holes 1-3. But to his credit, McNealy did not let this get to him He went on to birdie four straight holes after that, including a hole-out birdie on the par 3 7th hole from the bunker, and finished the day with an eagle on the par 5 9th hole. 

McNealy had his best season on tour last year, including a 2nd place finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and a T4 finish at the RBC Heritage. He is still searching for his first PGA Tour win and is in a great position heading into the weekend to do so. 

KUCHAR DOESNT DISAPPOINT WITH NEAR ACE

Just four shots behind McNealy sits Matt Kuchar, PGA Tour veteran and fan favorite. Also starting his day on the back nine, the 43-year old nearly aced the par 3 11th hole (his second hole of the day), after hitting an iron just short of pin high and watching it roll by the hole to four feet, nearly dropping in along the way.

Kuchar would go on to make the four footer for birdie, on his way to a 6-under 66 for the day.

SILVERADO PLAYING WELL FOR PLAYERS

As we mentioned in our preview to the tournament, Silverado Country Club is one of the shorter courses played on tour. Consequently, we are seeing some low scores this week, as a result of players being able to take on holes more aggressively, often times having shorter approaches to greens, compared to other tournaments.

The low round of the tournament was a 64 shot by Maverick McNealy, Beau Hossler and David Lipsky.  

The weather has been a bit cooler but perfect for players at Silverado and is scheduled to continue that way. There is a chance for winds to pick up on Sunday, but nothing too impactful for players.

HOW ARE OUR PICKS DOING?

We're looking for some redemption after our plan last week at the BMW PGA Championship backfired. Here's how our picks are doing so far:

1) Jon Rahm: CUT

2) Kevin Na: CUT

3) Will Zalatoris: T4 at 9-under

Nope. Wow, I really was not expecting Rahm and Na to be cut, especially after the way the ended last season. I suppose this is more concerning for Rahm, who needs to find some form for the Ryder Cup next week. The silver lining is that he'll have more time for prep via not making the cut.

 

And in his first season as an full-status PGA Tour member, "rookie" Will Zalatoris is off to a hot start. Here's hoping Zalatoris can carry this momentum into the weekend.

***

Two rounds are left at the 2021 Fortinet Championship. Much can change in two rounds of golf, so stay tuned to see who has won it.

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

2021 Fortinet Championship Preview

Jon Rahm is our top pick to win the 2021 Fortinet Championsip

 

 

Despite golf being perceived as a sport that takes too long to play, what isn't long is the break between PGA Tour seasons...

Just two weeks removed from the 2021 Tour Championship and official end of the PGA Tour season, the 2021-2022 PGA Tour season kicks off this week at Silverado Country Club in Napa, California for the 2021 Fortinet Championship (formerly known as the Safeway Open and Frys.com Open). 

 

It's the start of a new season and everyone is trying to kick off on the right foot. On the line this week is a $7 million purse, with $1.26 million going to the winner and 40 World Golf Rankings points.

TOURNAMENT HISTORY

The tournament was first contested back in 2007. At the time, it was part of the PGA Tour Fall Series, a group of tournaments played after the Tour Championship but before the end of the season. Scheduling was different then, with the season starting in January and ending in November, giving players the month of December off. 

 

In 2013, the PGA Tour changed its scheduling to start the season in October. The Frys.com Open, as it was known then, was selected to be the inaugural tournament of the season and has held the title since.

Since 2007, several courses have played host, including Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale and CordeValle Golf Club near San Jose. 

 

Since 2014, the tournament has been contested on Silverado Country Club's North Course, which plays as a par 72 measuring 7,166 yards, making it one of the shorter courses on tour. Last year, Stewart Cink set the tournament scoring record to par, winning with a 21-under par.

WHO DO WE THINK WILL WIN?

The Fortinet Championship sits in a unique position this year, in terms of scheduling. As stated prior, we're coming off a great FedEx Cup Playoffs and the Ryder Cup is being played next week. Some players will perhaps be looking to capitalize on some momentum they have left from the playoffs, while some (one really) will be looking to get into Ryder Cup form. At the same time, this is the start of a brand new PGA Tour season. New season, new opportunities, a chance to start out strong. 

Wrapping all of this together, here are our picks to win the 2021 Fortinet Championship:

1) Jon Rahm

2) Kevin Na

3) Will Zalatoris

Rahm is coming off an impressive playoff run and is the Number One Golfer in the World. He's riding a huge wave of momentum and is perhaps using this event as Ryder Cup prep. He hands down has to be the favourite to win this week. Kevin Na may have missed out on a Ryder Cup pick, but he also performed well during the playoffs. Lastly, Will Zalatoris, newly named Rookie of the Year, is now a full PGA Tour member, with some serious game, as we saw last year,

***

Play kicks off at 10AM Eastern time Thursday morning, officially ending one of the shortest off-seasons in professional sport. Be sure to check out our Weekend Update post to see what the drama and storylines are after the first two rounds.

 

 

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews 

Event Aggregate: A Proposed FedEx Cup Playoffs Format Reviewed

Its now been a few weeks since the end of the 2021 FedEx Cup Playoffs, with Patrick Cantlay being crowned the FedEx Champion. He won the tournament partly due to a good performance in the previous playoff events, which gave him a 10-under start to the Tour Championship and clear advantage.

The current FedEx Cup Playoffs format, which came into effect in 2019, has been controversial amongst both players and fans. Many believe that it gives an unfair advantage to golfers who play well at certain events. If you get hot at the right time, you win it all, they argue.

As we head into a new PGA Tour season, I thought it would be a good idea to review a popular proposed playoff format that has been the subject of much talk as of late. I don't believe it have a proper name yet, but I'm calling it "Event Aggregate".

THE EVENT AGGREGATE FORMAT EXPLAINED

The idea of an Event Aggregate playoff format is simple: keep a running score for players across the three playoff events and the lowest score at the end wins. 

Let's break it down a bit more though.

 

As per usual, FedEx Cup points would be used throughout the PGA Tour regular season to determine the Top 125 players who get into the playoffs. At the start of the playoffs, the slate is wiped clean and points are no longer used. Instead, score is the ranking characteristic, with all players starting at even par, just like a normal tournament.

Starting with The Northern Trust, a cut is set after two rounds, reducing the field to 70 players, who have their scores recorded at the end of the tournament. These 70 players advance to the BMW Championship. The player with the lowest score wins The Northern Trust, as per normal.

At the BMW Championship, things would change a bit. Players would start with their final score from The Northern Trust. After two rounds, a new cut is set, to reduce the field to 30. The player with the lowest total score (summing both BMW and Northern Trust rounds) wins the BMW Championship.

 

This repeats for the Tour Championship, where players would start with their final score from the BMW Championship. No cut would be needed due to the small field size and the winner of the Tour Championship would win the FedEx Cup. 

Another way to think of it is a re-seed after each playoff round, based off previous total score.

PROS AND CONS OF EVENT AGGREGATE

There are some positives to this format. To start, it is a similar format to those seen in the NBA and NHL, minus the home advantage as a result of high seeding. It makes things more fair for players within the playoffs (and I stress within the playoffs). It also eliminates the scenario where a player could win the Tour Championship but not the FedEx Cup. 

Perhaps its biggest positive is its simplicity though, since you only need to keep track of score, not points and score, as under the current format.

Despite this, there are some blaring negatives to this format, the most significant being that this format does not reward excellent play during the regular season. For example, if a player wins three majors and another wins only a single tournament, they start the playoffs ranked equally. This could theoretically be fixed by introducing some sort of initial playoff seeding, similar to the Starting Strokes system, based on incoming FedEx Cup ranking. This would give weight to regular season play and an advantage to those who played well during it. Another negative is that some playoff events would mean more than others, depending on scores. This is expanded on in the case study below.

It's also worth noting that FedEx themselves would lose some advertising in this format, since the FedEx Cup points would only be used during the regular season. The playoff prize pool could still be distributed normally however, although the players would need to be divided up into three tiers (one for each playoff round), then ranked by scoring within those tiers.

EVENT AGGREGATE APPLIED TO THE 2021 FEDEX CUP PLAYOFFS 

To see a real world application of this format, I decided to recalculate the 2021 Tour Championship leaderboard under the Event Aggregate format. Below is a table showing players with their individual score for each event and total aggregate score.

 

Notice Cantlay and Rahm tied for the lead and separated by a large margin; virtually the exact same scenario we saw at the 2021 Tour Championship, the only difference being under this format, an official playoff would be needed. This year, we saw a de facto playoff being contested between the two, during their final rounds.

 

Kevin Na also retains 3rd place, but Bryson DeChambeau moves up from 7th to 4th (due to good performance at the BMW Championship). The biggest jump is Erik Van Rooyen, who finished T22 under the current format, but would finish 6th under the Event Aggregate format, a difference worth $1.3 million in prize money.

 

Another thing to consider is that lower scoring playoff events would have more of an impact that others. For example, if someone shot a very low score at the BMW Championship, this could essentially win them the FedEx Cup, since they would start the Tour Championship with a very low score (sound familiar?). Depending on how tough East Lake plays, that margin may not be able to be closed by other players.

And what would a withdraw mean under this format? For example, Louis Oosthuizen and Patrick Reed are not in the above table because they withdrew from playoff events, thus could not post scores for them. Under the Event Aggregate format, they would not have been able to play in the Tour Championship. Could you just give them a score of par for the tournaments they missed? Not quite, because what if a playoff event finishes with an over par score, like some US Opens have?

 ***

I think the Event Aggregate format is a neat idea, but one that needs a bit more thought before it's even considered for replacement of the current format. I think it could work for the FedEx Cup, but some sort of initial seeding would need to be implemented to give merit to regular season play and some of the other above mentioned kinks would need to be ironed out. 

 

It does share some similarities with the current system in place, with the major difference being that the Event Aggregate system seeds every playoff round based off score, whereas the current system seeds only for the Tour Championship, based off points.

In my opinion, the key to a proper playoff format is balance. The format must be able to balance regular season merit with playoff event merit and fairness. I personally think that the current format should be modified, since it weights the playoff events so heavily. But, since it is the current format, and in place for the next PGA Tour season, we need to honor it as that.

 

What do you think the best format for the FedEx Cup Playoffs is? Comment with your thoughts below.

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

4 Things Golfers Can Learn From Patrick Cantlay's Playoff Run

What can we learn from Patrick Cantlay's incredible FedEx Cup Playoff Run?
 

 

During the 2021 FedEx Cup Playoffs, we watched Patrick Cantlay go on a superb golfing run, showcasing an incredible displaying of golfing skill under the toughest of circumstances. It started with his performance at the BMW Championship and then at the Tour Championship, resulting in him winning the FedEx Cup.

But what was most interesting was the way he won. First at the BMW, via an epic playoff between Bryson DeChambeau and himself, in which Cantlay did not falter at all and dominated with his putter. Then at the Tour Championship, where he overcame small bouts of trouble to win by one shot over Jon Rahm.

It has been a few weeks since Cantlay hoisted the FedEx Cup and we've all had time to reflect on it. I believe that there are a few things we can learn from Cantlay and what we saw him accomplish.

 

 

1) The Importance of Putting

Putting is what won Patrick Cantlay the FedEx Cup. Period.

 

It started at the BMW Championship, where he made a clutch putt after clutch putt all while going toe-to-toe against the long-hitting Bryson DeChambeau in an epic six-hole playoff. DeChambeau was able to outdo Cantlay off the tee, but once they were on the green, Cantlay dominated. It brought truth to the phrase "drive for show, putt for dough".

Learning the game today, I think there is a huge emphasis on gaining distance. Don't get me wrong, I think that's a good thing; everyone loves hitting a long drive and its a real confidence booster. But what Cantlay showed us is that an equal emphasis should be placed on putting. The ability to save par or two-putt a tricky green can have a huge effect on lowering your scores and making you a better golfer. 

To be fair, putting is probably the hardest thing to practice, because you actually need to be on a golf course to develop it fully (i.e. learn how to read greens, slopes, etc.). At a driving range though, you can practice chipping, driving, approach shots, etc., and I think we can all agree that its easier to get in some range time as opposed to a round of golf. There are numerous off-course putting aids out there, however, that can help you with your stroke or weighting and these are all great things. 

The bottom line is that its worth practicing putting and considering it on par to driving and shot-making, etc.

2) How To Play One Hole at a Time

Cantlay rarely made a mistake during both the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship. But when he did, he was able to recover from it and not make the situation worse. For instance, at the Tour Championship, he made 3 bogeys, but immediately followed two of those up with birdies on the next hole. His ability to completely disregard on hole from the next was quite remarkable.

The is something that I think takes quite a bit of work to accomplish, because it's not a physical skill, rather a mental one. Often times, when I finish a bad hole, my first instinct is to ponder on it and see how and where I went wrong. While this is a good thing, sometimes I dwell on certain things. I begin to question my golfing abilities and start letting this dictate what I should do on the next hole. 

 

Cantlay showed us that being able to separate one hole from the next mentally is extremely beneficial. It's like wiping the slate clean or hitting the reset button at the start of each hole. New hole, new opportunities to score low. 

 

On a similar note, we recently wrote an article about how not to compound errors on a golf course, in our "How to Play Smart Golf" series, that preaches the same message we heard from Cantlay.

3) Developing the Correct Mindset for Golf

In his post round interviews, Cantlay often mentioned that on the course, he tries to tune everything out and enter what he calls a trace-like mindset. This was on full display during the playoff at the BMW Championship, where Cantlay did not even realize that DeChambeau had hit his tee shot into the water, despite teeing off after him. 

Adapting this for the everyday golfer requires some adjustment. Normally us golfers aren't playing with crowds of people or TV cameras watching us, but the idea is similar: have a positive mindset and keep your focus on golf. The golf course should feel like a place where you can get away to, somewhere to escape the stresses and requirements of everyday life. 

It's also a great skill to develop if you do feel pressure on the golf course. For example, when paired at a golf course with a golfer who is better skilled than me, I often feel slightly pressured to perform well. Or when I'm about to hit a shot in front of the course marshal. Having the ability to completely tune out the sources creating the pressure is an immensely useful skill to have.

4) Play at Your Pace

There were many scenarios throughout the FedEx Cup Playoffs where Cantlay may have been tempted to speed up his shot process. For instance, when full of adrenaline after sinking one of his numerous clutch putts. Or when he was grouped with Bryson DeChambeau. But no matter the situation, Cantlay's speed never changed; he always assessed each shot the same way, always wiggled his feet when putting the same way, and always took time to make sure things were exactly the way he wanted them to be.

It's a matter of comfort in my opinion. Most players have a "routine" which they go through prior to taking a shot. This routine takes a certain amount of time and speeding up any of the steps in your routine can throw everything else off. 

Again, this is a skill that can always be developed. For newer golfers, your routine, on the whole, may take longer than others. There's nothing wrong with that, but you'll eventually notice that as you become more confident in the various aspects of your game, your overall routine will speed up. The key to remember is to just do what you do and not change it in either way, regardless of what your speed is. 

 

 

***

 

Patrick Cantlay's playoff run was exciting to watch, in terms of entertainment, but equally interesting in terms of what us everyday golfers can learn from it. This ability to learn and be entertained at the same time is something that I think we see very little off when watching professional golf. In the end, we all want to become better golfers.

What else do you think can be learned from Cantlay? What was your favorite Cantlay moment this year? Let us know in the comments below.

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

Billy Horschel Wins the 2021 BMW PGA Championship

Billy Horschel birdies 18th to win 2021 BMW PGA Championship (image: Getty Images)

 

 

After a dramatic final round on Sunday, American Billy Horschel has won the 2021 BMW PGA Championship with a score of 19-under. He wins by a single stroke over Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Laurie Canter and Jamie Donaldson, after carding a final round 65 on the West Course at The Wentworth Club.

 

This is Horschel's second win on the European Tour and second this season, his first being the 2021 WGC Dell Technologies Match Play. With this win, Horschel moves from 4th to 2nd in the Race to Dubai Rankings. He also becomes the first American golfer to win a Rolex event on the European Tour.

HORSCHEL THE FINISHER

Horschel started his Sunday not far off the lead at 12-under and in the second-to-last pairing. Knowing he needed to start off well, Horschel did just that, birding holes 3, 4 and 6 before heading to the back nine. After birdies on 11, 12 and a clutch putt on 15, Horschel found himself tied for the lead with three holes left. 

But Horschel would par the par 4 16th and par 5 17th holes. Onto the par 5 18th hole he went, which historically has been the site of much drama in the past. Opting to play for a birdie, Horschel layed up with his second shot. With 90 yards left to the hole and a wedge in hand, Horschel nearly holed out from the fairway, his ball stopping a couple of feet from the hole for an easy birdie. One birdie was all that was needed though, as no one else was able to break the 18-under barrier. 

Horschel's rounds were admittedly far from perfect, in his own words, carding scores of 70, 65, 69 and 65, but it was the back nine where Horschel made an impact. Over his four rounds, he played the back nine alone at 17-under with no bogeys and managed to birdie the 18th hole everyday except Saturday.

 

For those who do not watch the European Tour often, the eliteness and importance of the BMW PGA Championship may be lost on them. This is not the case for Horschel however. Earlier in the week, Horschel said in an interview that he equated the BMW PGA Championship to the Players Championship, in terms of importance and prestige. This was something he reiterated upon winning the tournament. Horschel also stated that he loves playing overseas on the European Tour and plans to return for the Alfred Dunhil Links Championship at the end of September and the DP World Tour Championship in November.

Horschel's win this week caps off an impressive month of golf for him, after a 9th place finish in the FedEx Cup Playoffs. His performance was a week too short for US Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker, who did not select Horschel as a captain's pick for the upcoming Ryder Cup. There's still hope for him though, as team member Brooks Koepka is still questionable after an injury during the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

HOW DID OUR PICKS FINISH?

It wasn't looking too good for our "older" picks but here's how they finished:

 

1) Richard Bland: T57 at 3-under

2) Francesco Molinari: T35 at 7-under

3) Ian Poulter: CUT

 

Surely a frustrating week for our picks. It was also revealed by Molinari that he will most likely miss the Ryder Cup this year after a lingering back issue. Let's hope this changes, as many of us desperately want to see the famous Fleetwood-Molinari pairing again!

 

***

 

That concludes our coverage of the 2021 BMW PGA Championship. Yet again, this illustrious tournament failed to disappoint, with amazing drama and exciting storylines.

Next week, our coverage will travel back over the pond for the start of the 2021-2022 PGA Tour season with the 2021 Fortinet Championship. Stay tuned for our preview of the season, the tournament and our picks.

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews