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Rahm Ends Remarkable Streak, Spieth’s Wild Ride, & Hovland Turns Heads
Cameron Young broke the 36-hole scoring record for the Genesis Invitational, a pretty big deal considering the annual PGA Tour stop at Riviera dates back nearly a century. There’s just one slightly disappointing part about the 24-year-old’s first two days: He’s not even leading the golf tournament.
That’s because 23-year-old Joaquin Niemann broke that record as well, thanks to a second consecutive 63. That gives Niemann a blistering 16-under-par total of 126 through two days—five shots better than the previous 36-hole low at Riviera.
“I think everything is working pretty well,” Niemann told reporters after. “Obviously I’m making a lot of putts right now. I feel I’m starting my ball online with the putter. When you have greens this good when you start your line, I think you’ve got a good chance of making putts, so I think that’s been big this week.”
The young star from Chile said he didn’t get much sleep with an early tee time, but he eagled the first and birdied the second. After making the turn at five under, he bogeyed the famed 10th hole before bouncing back with birdies on four of his final eight holes.
There will be plenty of time to sleep before Niemann and Young have Saturday’s last afternoon tee time; however, nerves could always get in the way. Young, a two-time winner on the Korn Ferry Tour last year, will be looking for his first PGA Tour title. And for Niemann, who won at The Greenbrier in 2019, it seems that way.
“Yeah, it feels forever actually. I think it was two or three years ago. It feels a long time,” Niemann said. “Obviously you play this game to try to win every week and yeah, but you know how hard it is to win here and how competitive they are, how many good players there are here. You have to be patient and just wait for my week.”
At this rate, he might not have to wait much longer. Here’s what else you may have missed from Friday’s second round at Riviera.
Viktor Hovland turns heads
As he did on Thursday, Hovland played the 15th hole by hitting his tee shot down No. 16. And as he did on Thursday, he made par on the difficult par 4. Have a look:
Take two. ? https://t.co/tqnHYsPmF4 pic.twitter.com/pLH6l7p4YJ— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2022
After posting a second-round 64 to vault into contention, Hovland explained his eye-opening strategy.
“So I did that at the U.S. Amateur here in 2017,” Hovland said. “Actually, got to give my buddy Zach Bauchou some credit. He was the guy that first mentioned it. Yeah, I did it there and I did it once last year, I believe it was the third day and it was humming downwind. I think I hit a driver and a sand wedge in there. And there’s not too much trouble there I thought. Obviously that bunker on the left side is no good, but at the same time the bunker down 15 on the right is no good either. I don’t know, just fits my eye.”
But what caught the eyes of other people were Hovland’s lightning pants. Check these bad boys out:
Lightning pants for the win. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/3fTY6pX3dU— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2022
“It’s my first time,” Hovland said of wearing the pants. “Maybe I should keep wearing them.”
Hey, when you’re ranked fourth in the entire world, you can wear whatever you want. And he was certainly in better spirits than the World No. 1 following his round …
Jon Rahm’s remarkable streak ends
Well, he was due for a bad round. And it really wasn’t even that bad.
Rahm shot a one-over-par 72 on Friday, his first over-par round on the PGA Tour since Day 1 of the Open Championship. Yep, that’s right. We’re talking about July. As in seven months ago.
Rahm’s streak of shooting rounds of par or better ended at 34, one of the longest in tour history, and the longest since Charles Howell III also had 34 in 2003. The record, as you probably guess, belongs to Tiger Woods, who once went 52 rounds without shooting over par. Crazy.
On the bright side for Rahm, thanks to a clutch seven-foot par putt on 18, he’ll get to play the weekend. Unlike the next guy . . .
Dustin Johnson’s weird week
Although not technically the betting favorite entering this week (that would be Rahm), Johnson was certainly a favorite among fantasy experts, and for good reason. The two-time major champ has a sparkling record at Riviera with 10 top-10s in 14 starts, highlighted by a win and two runner-ups. But he was the most surprising player to miss the cut—especially when you consider how well he played during his Friday back nine.
Ben Jared
Johnson closed with a bogey-free 31, capped by a birdie on his final hole. But it proved to be too little too late. His undoing? A 40 on his front nine, including a double bogey on the par-3 16th. Oh, and a 73 on Thursday that also featured a double bogey on No. 10.
And all of this amid speculation that Johnson could join the Saudi-backed Super Golf League. Although he was able to avoid the media this week, he was unable to overcome a sloppy short game that cost him more than three shots over two rounds.
It’s been a slow start to the season for Johnson, who has only played in three events with a T-25 at Torrey Pines his best result. If he is thinking about leaving the PGA Tour, that can’t be helping his bargaining power.
Jordan Spieth’s (latest) wild ride
One guy who was using his short game to make up strokes on the field was Jordan Spieth. Shocking, we know.
The three-time major champ flashed some magic on the back nine, beginning with this chip-in eagle on No. 11:
Chip-in eagle at 11. ?@JordanSpieth gets to -10 and -5 on the day. pic.twitter.com/iqQwG0guh4— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2022
But then he managed four consecutive up-and-down pars on 12-15, three of which only required tap-in putts. And despite only hitting 11 greens in regulation and losing strokes on the greens, including a three-putt on No. 18, Spieth shot 67 and is T-4 heading into the weekend.
In other words, he’s just where he wants to be. Ready to make another Saturday charge—just this time at a place with no dangerous cliffs.
This article originally appeared on Golf Digest.
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Maintenance during the off season
Ever wonder what kind of repairs you can do to keep your clubs in shape during the off season?
Many of us find the grips on our clubs starting to wear down and nothing brings new life into your older clubs like a new set of grips.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to spend a small fortune having someone else do this for you, this handy DIY video by Coach Lockey will show you how to replace your grips at home. Click below and have a watch. Then see some of our suggestions for new grips you can buy today.
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Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Golfers
Hey there, golf fans and last-minute shoppers! Can you believe it? We’re down to just 9 days until Christmas, and this year, Hanukkah also starts on the 25th, too! If you’ve got a golfer in your life, the clock is ticking to grab that perfect gift. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with some amazing last-minute ideas that will arrive in time, thanks to Amazon’s super-fast shipping.
So, skip the stress and check out these top picks that will make any golfer light up like the holiday tree or menorah this year. Let’s dive in!
1. Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls
Golfers can never have too many golf balls, and Callaway’s Supersoft is one of the best around. Known for its soft feel and incredible distance, it’s perfect for players of all skill levels. Plus, it’s an easy, no-brainer gift that any golfer will appreciate.
Why it’s great:
- Affordable and high-quality
- Available in fun colors like yellow and matte pink
- Ready to ship and arrive before the holidays
👉 Buy Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls on Amazon
2. PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer
Help the golfer in your life sharpen their short game with this ingenious training tool. The PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer is compact, effective, and ideal for indoor practice—perfect for winter days away from the course.
Why it’s great:
- Builds confidence in putting
- Lightweight and portable
- A hit among golfers of all levels
👉 Buy PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer on Amazon
3. Golf Trunk Organizer
This gift is a game-changer for staying organized. The Samsonite Golf Trunk Organizer is perfect for stashing shoes, gloves, tees, and other golf gear in one tidy place. It’s functional, practical, and will earn you big points for thoughtfulness.
Why it’s great:
- Keeps gear neat and ready for action
- Fits easily in any car trunk
- Arrives quickly with Prime shipping
👉 Buy Samsonite Golf Trunk Organizer on Amazon
4. Titleist Players Golf Glove
A good golf glove can make all the difference in grip and comfort, and Titleist is a trusted brand. This premium glove is a simple yet thoughtful gift that will see plenty of use on the course.
Why it’s great:
- High-quality construction
- Comfortable fit and feel
- Available for fast shipping
👉 Buy Titleist Players Golf Glove on Amazon
5. Garmin Approach G12 GPS Rangefinder
For the tech-savvy golfer, the Garmin Approach G12 is a small but mighty gadget that provides distances to the green, hazards, and more. It clips onto a bag or belt, making it easy to use during a round.
Why it’s great:
- Compact and accurate
- Preloaded with 42,000 courses
- Ships in time for the holidays
👉 Buy Garmin Approach G12 on Amazon
6. Funny Golf T-Shirts
Every golfer loves a little humor on the course. A witty golf-themed T-shirt is a fun, budget-friendly option that’s sure to get laughs and compliments.
Why it’s great:
- Tons of designs to choose from
- Budget-friendly and personal
- Many options with next-day delivery
👉 Browse Funny Golf T-Shirts on Amazon
7. Practice Golf Net
A home practice net is a dream for golfers who want to perfect their swing without leaving the house. It’s the gift of endless practice, even in the off-season.
Why it’s great:
- Easy to set up in a backyard or garage
- Perfect for winter training
- Many available for fast delivery
👉 Buy Practice Golf Net on Amazon
Don’t Wait—Act Now!
Time is running out, and the holidays are almost here! These gifts are perfect for golfers and will make it to your doorstep in time, but only if you act fast. Stock is limited, and the closer we get to the big day, the tighter the shipping windows get. Click those links, fill your cart, and cross those gifts off your list today.
Is your dad a golf nut? Christmas is the perfect time to show him how much you care with a gift that’s right up his fairway. Whether he’s a seasoned pro or just starting out, there’s a perfect gift out there for every golfer. Let’s take a look at some ideas that will have him swinging with joy all year long.
Stocking Stuffers for the Golf-Obsessed Dad
Even the most experienced golfer appreciates the little things.
These stocking stuffers are perfect for adding a little fun to his game:
Help dad take his golf game to the next level with these stylish and practical gifts:
The Golfer’s Haven
Help dad unwind after a long day on the course with these cozy and relaxing gifts:
With this guide, you’re sure to find the perfect gift for the golfer in your life. Happy holidays!
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