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Weekly Breakdown: Rory’s contentious decision, Torrey Pines props, and shaky putting

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WEEKLY BREAKDOWN: RORY'S DECISION

Welcome back to the Weekly Breakdown, where we’re wondering if Tom Brady is getting out now to give himself a few years to get ready for the Champions Tour… Let’s get to it!

FIRST GROUP OFF

Torrey Pines.

There is a contingent of diehard golf fans who have a notably complex relationship with Torrey Pines. There are a handful of gripes with varying levels of legitimacy, which include the following: It’s boring. It doesn’t take advantage of its surroundings. Narrow fairways and long rough are meh. The greens are bumpy. There are a bunch of forgettable holes that generally just blend into each other. The pond on 18 is silly and makes zero sense in the context of the rest of the course. And then there’s the big one: Given the breathtaking cliffside property, it should be so much better.

I’m not saying those arguments are without merit. At last summer’s U.S. Open I even found myself thinking that a major championship should be held at a course that was less familiar and more exciting. But this week, in the PGA Tour’s third trip to Torrey Pines in 12 months, I found myself fully enjoying the viewing. What gives? A number of factors. Here are a few nice things I’d like to say about this week’s Tour site:

There is no course that has benefitted more from the widespread use of drone shots than Torrey Pines, which can look drab and scrubby from ground level but magnificent with proper perspective. It’s fun to have a PGA Tour course where bogeys lurk around every corner. Showcasing one of the greatest municipal golf complexes in the world on a yearly basis is a good thing for golf. There are a few holes in particular — 3, 4, 12 and 18 come first to mind — that make for terrific entertainment. The leaderboard is always bunched with solid ballstrikers coming down the back nine in the final round. And we’re deeply familiar with the finishing stretch, with memories dating back to Tiger Woods at Buick Opens, various national championships, crowning moments for Jason Day and Jon Rahm and more. That intimate knowledge of fairways, green complexes, drama, pitfalls — it all makes for better viewing. Maybe it’s Stockholm Syndrome. Maybe it’s the fact that all you need for a good Tour event is a close finish on a hard, familiar course. Whatever it is, the Farmers Insurance Open was fun.

WINNERS

Who won the week?

Viktor Hovland’s jinx

This week’s golf was chock-full of nail-biting finishes but the hottest finish came from Viktor Hovland, who seemed out of contention beginning the day six shots back and seemed further out of contention when he bogeyed No. 15 but then finished birdie-eagle-birdie to plant a flag in the clubhouse at 12 under and then deliver a top-notch jinx to his biggest threat:

“There’s some drama, there’s some water, but I mean, Rory [McIlroy] is a pretty good player, so I’m thinking he’s going to close this one off,” Hovland said as he waited. The rest is history — and more on that later.

A reporter asked Hovland if the finish was the best of his career, and he gave a curious qualifier in his answer.

“Under the circumstances, yes, for sure,” he said. What did that mean? Hovland clarified:

“I do distinctly remember a little match that I had in college. We used to do a little Ryder Cup — me and Kristoffer Ventura against Zach Bauchou and Sam Stevens. We were basically playing for dinner and it was kind of getting dark, like this, and it was pretty feisty. We all didn’t want to lose and I remember we were doing stroke-play best-ball, I think, and we were down I think three strokes with three to go, and I finished birdie, birdie, and then eagle on the last to beat them by a shot and they were so mad, and it just brought me so much joy. So I do remember that one.”

The reporter pointed out that this win — worth more than $1.3 million — was more lucrative than a dinner bet.

“It is. But the other one was pretty satisfying, too.” No wonder people like this guy.

Lydia Ko’s latest chapter

It remains hard to fathom, but Lydia Ko — winner of this week’s Gainbridge LPGA — is still just 24. That’s difficult to comprehend because she became world No. 1 at just 17, which means she has already played a lengthy professional career, but it’s also hard because that career has had so many chapters. Early success. Then some struggles. Caddie changes, coaching changes, team changes. And now, with 17 wins under her belt, Ko has validated her comeback tour and cemented herself among the top pros in the world. Since the beginning of 2021, Ko has made 24 starts, missing just one cut while logging 16 top-10s, nine top-threes and three victories. She’s solidly at No. 3 in the world behind the dueling duo of Jin Young Ko (back at No. 1 after this wee

On Sunday, Ko held off Danielle Kang with a clutch up-and-down from a greenside bunker at No. 18. Post-round she reminded everyone that you can’t try to be a past version of yourself; neither life nor golf works that way. And she summed up her feelings succinctly:

“Three words: Excited, cocktail, sleep,” she said. “I’m a little — I could do with sleep right now, thank you. I had a cocktail. That’s why I said cocktail. I feel like my cheeks are getting red, too.”

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Well earned.

Luke List’s horrendous layup

This sounds like a dig but it is, in fact, admiration. Luke List came to No. 18 at Torrey Pines reeling; he’d just missed a four-footer at No. 17 to fall a shot off the lead. Then he missed left with his tee shot, forcing a layup so that he could get it close to the front-left funnel pin. But then he committed the cardinal sin of Torrey Pines: He layed up into the rough.

But then we saw the benefit of List being a terrific ball-striker and a very strong human being. Even from the rough he was able to generate enough spin that his ball landed softly on the front of the green and settled some 13 feet from the hole. He matched speed with line perfectly, making birdie to force a playoff. And in that playoff, he hit an even better layup from a worse lie (plugged in the right fairway bunker) and followed that with an even better approach shot, which he spun back to inside a foot. That made him a winner. And it was pretty clear just how much that win meant:

ALMOST-WINNERS

So close, and yet…

Danielle Kang’s tunnel vision

Coming off a win at the Tournament of Champions, Danielle Kang nearly made it two in a row — but her birdie try at No. 18 just wiggled past. Kang and Ko dueled their way down the stretch but Kang credited her charge in part to staying in her own lane.

“I wasn’t necessarily paying attention to a lot of what [Ko] was doing, to be honest, because I didn’t even know on 12 she had to hit a provisional because I got up to the fairway and there was four golf balls and I said, What happened here?”

Richard Bland, Ageless Wonder

If it’s possible for a playoff loss to feel like a win, how ’bout the runner-up finish for Richard Bland at the Dubai Desert Classic? As a quick recap: He’s turning 49 next week, he’s up to No. 53 in the world, Viktor Hovland needed 73 holes to beat him and, given the strength of the field, the finish registers as his best-ever result in terms of World Ranking points.

Will Zalatoris (and yes, his putter too)

The wobbly putting stroke of Will Zalatoris was front and center this weekend, largely on the basis of one sketchy missed shortie and two missed putts on 18 (one in regulation, one in the playoff). Let’s attempt something challenging: Let’s try to hold two thoughts in our head at the same time. Will Zalatoris’ putting woes might be real and might also be overstated.

Tee to green, Zalatoris was the best golfer in the field, gaining an extremely impressive 12.5 strokes. On the greens, he was a troubling 64th of the 79 players who made the cut, and he made nothing on Saturday, taking 29 putts on the 15 greens he hit in regulation. He actually made very little on Saturday, too, when he hit it so well he shot seven-under 65 despite losing ground on the greens. That basically never happens.

So the putting isn’t great. No doubt about that. It wasn’t great either, when Zalatoris finished the season No. 122 on Tour in putting, which is below average but well ahead of other notables like Hideki Matsuyama (who won the Masters) and Collin Morikawa (who won the Open Championship and conquered the world).

But let’s remember what Brandel Chamblee said a couple weeks ago in reference to Matsuyama:

“It’s not about who putts the best. It’s about who putts best, amongst the best ball strikers. And when [Hideki] does that he always has a decent chance.”

Zalatoris was a couple of inches from winning last week. If he keeps hitting the ball like this, he’ll have a whole bunch more chances.

Jason Day’s chase for No. 1

Even as he has dropped steadily in the world rankings, Jason Day has continued to talk about the goal of returning to World No. 1. I’ve admired his ability to think big, given he entered this week at World No. 129. But his game was solid through the bag, he turned in a vintage putting performance and contended until the end, finishing one shot outside the playoff and posting his first top-three finish since 2018.

Jon Rahm’s grip on World No. 1

All last week, Jon Rahm looked, uhh, unsatisfied with his game.

He still had a putt on the 72nd hole to get into a playoff. I’m starting to think he’s pretty good.

NOT-WINNERS

Maybe next week?

Not laying up

Rory McIlroy seemed destined for victory when he stepped to the 17th tee on Sunday tied for the lead with a drivable par-4 and reachable par-5 in front of him. But a messy tee shot on 17 left him scrambling for par and then he laid back with 3-wood off the tee on 18, forcing a difficult decision: From 267 yards, should he pull 3-wood and go for the green? Or should he lay up, try to wedge it close and, if he made par, get into a playoff?

After the fact, the wise golf minds of the internet seemed unanimously incredulous that McIlroy went for it (and dumped it way short, at least 10 yards shy of clearing the water). I actually think his decision to go for it was reasonable, at least at the outset. If he clears the water, he’s very likely making birdie and leaving with the win. If he lays up, birdie is in play, but it’s far less likely — plus par means a three-man playoff and bogey is still in play, too, given McIlroy’s occasional misadventures with a wedge. Plus, McIlroy still had that same wedge shot to get up-and-down for par and force a playoff, so the back-door win was still available.

Instead, I’d say the mistake was in the execution as much as it was the decision to go for it. Perhaps there was mud on the ball that affected its flight. Perhaps he and caddie Harry Diamond misjudged the wind. Either way, you just can’t hit the high, slicey soft one there. He did, and it cost him the tournament.

Justin Thomas’ weekend

On Friday, we seemed destined for a Jon Rahm-Justin Thomas duel in the final round. But that never quite materialized. Yes, Rahm stayed in the hunt, but Thomas disappeared in a peculiar way, making seven bogeys against just three birdies in his final 27 holes to finish T20. It’s tough to pinpoint one issue in particular, because Thomas hit some loose tee shots in the third round while his short game seemed the main culprit on Saturday, losing three shots to the field around and on the greens. Thomas’ weekend isn’t cause for worry — he entered the week with five top-six finishes in his last seven starts — but it does feel like a missed opportunity.

Bleach-blond Brooks

I’m a big fan of Brooks Koepka’s new hair color and his general willingness to do something people will make fun of him for doing. But I think if you go hard on the bleach-blond hair you have to make the cut, right?!

Koepka went all Marshall Mathers before Wednesday’s opening round, but come Friday he shot 74 in his second round to miss the weekend by three. The good news for Koepka: He had plenty of company! Bryson DeChambeau, Jordan Spieth, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson were among the list of big names to miss the weekend.

This article originally appeared on Golf.com

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Unveiling the Mystique: The Enigmatic World of Secret Golf Societies

The Secret Golf Societies: Uncovering the Game’s Hidden ClubsGolf, often viewed as a gentleman’s sport, has a fascinating and sometimes mysterious allure. Beyond the lush greens and meticulously maintained courses lie secret societies, cloaked in tradition and exclusivity. These hidden clubs, often within golf’s highest echelons, have a captivating allure, creating an enigma that both…

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The Secret Golf Societies: Uncovering the Game’s Hidden Clubs

Golf, often viewed as a gentleman’s sport, has a fascinating and sometimes mysterious allure. Beyond the lush greens and meticulously maintained courses lie secret societies, cloaked in tradition and exclusivity. These hidden clubs, often within golf’s highest echelons, have a captivating allure, creating an enigma that both charms and perplexes the sport’s enthusiasts. So, let’s delve into the enticing world of secret golf societies and uncover the game’s concealed clubs.

The Intrigue of Secret Golf Societies

The allure of secret societies is not a new phenomenon. The idea of a select group, privy to certain exclusive information and practices, has fascinated people for centuries. In golf, this fascination extends to secret golf societies, clubs within clubs that only welcome the select few.

These secret societies often have their own rules, traditions, and rituals, all of which contribute to their mystique. They are not your regular golf clubs; they are societies that cherish tradition, exclusivity, and most importantly, the love for the game.

Unveiling the Augusta National Golf Club

Perhaps the most famous “secret” golf society is the Augusta National Golf Club. With its Magnolia Lane entrance and green jacket tradition, the Augusta National is more than just the home of The Masters. It’s a private club steeped in tradition, where membership is by invitation only.

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The club was founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts in 1932. Its exclusivity is legendary; the membership list is kept secret, and it’s reported that there are less than 300 members at any one time. The club didn’t admit its first black member until 1990 or its first female member until 2012. While its historical policies have often been controversial, the Augusta National’s allure remains undiminished.

The Ancient and Royal Golf Club

In Scotland, the birthplace of golf, lies the Ancient and Royal Golf Club of St. Andrews. This club, founded in 1754, holds the distinction of being the oldest golf society in the world. The members of this club are known to play by the original 13 rules of golf, enhancing its historical appeal.

The Outpost Club

The Outpost Club is a more modern addition to the list of secret golf societies. Founded in 2011, it’s a national golf society based in the United States. They don’t own any golf courses; instead, they organize events at various courses around the country. Membership is by invitation only, and the club’s emphasis is on camaraderie and enjoying the game in its purest form.

The Seminole Pro-Member

Often considered one of America’s most exclusive golf societies, the Seminole Pro-Member is a yearly tournament that combines amateur golfers with professional players. The tournament, held at the Seminole Golf Club in Florida, is renowned for its exclusivity. The list of past participants reads like a who’s who of golf, including legends like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

Why the Secrecy?

The question arises – why the secrecy? Why are these clubs so exclusive? The answer lies in the traditions of the game. Golf is a sport steeped in history and tradition. The exclusivity and secrecy of these societies preserve the traditions of the game, passing them on to future generations.

Moreover, the exclusivity also provides a unique golfing experience. The meticulously maintained courses, the camaraderie among members, and the opportunity to play the game in its purest form – these factors contribute to the allure of these secret societies.

In Conclusion

Secret golf societies, with their exclusivity and rich traditions, add a layer of intrigue to the game of golf. They preserve the sport’s history, uphold its traditions, and provide an unparalleled golfing experience. While they may be shrouded in mystery, their contribution to the game is undeniable. Whether it’s the Augusta National Golf Club, the Ancient and Royal Golf Club, or the Outpost Club, these societies embody the spirit of golf. They remind us that golf is more than just a sport. It’s a tradition, a lifestyle, and for many, a passion.

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Stop Wasting Strokes: 5 Simple Drills to Kill the Dreaded 3-Putt

Tired of ruining a great hole with the dreaded 3-putt? These 5 simple drills fix your speed, conquer pressure, and turn three putts into two.

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There is no feeling in golf quite as demoralizing as the 3-putt.

You smash a perfect drive. You hit a pure iron shot that lands safely on the green. You’re feeling like a pro, walking up to your ball with a birdie on your mind.

Then, disaster strikes. You blaze the first putt eight feet past the hole. Your comebacker for par is a nervous, jabby stroke that lips out. You tap in for a bogey, walking off the green with that all-too-familiar feeling of frustration, your good shots completely wasted.

The 3-putt is the great scorecard killer. It’s the difference between breaking 90 and shooting 95. The good news? It’s almost always the easiest problem to fix. It’s not about buying a $500 putter; it’s about controlling your speed and handling pressure.

Here are 5 simple, time-tested drills to kill the 3-putt and make you a confident force on the greens.

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Why You 3-Putt (It’s Not What You Think)

Most amateurs 3-putt for two simple reasons, and neither has to do with a “bad stroke”:

  1. Poor Lag Putting: You leave your first putt so far from the hole that the second putt is still a challenge.
  2. Missed “Knee-Knockers”: You can’t consistently sink putts inside 3-5 feet.

These five drills are designed to fix both of those problems, starting today.

5 Drills to Become a 2-Putt Machine

Find a practice green and spend 20 minutes on these. You’ll see results in your very next round.

1. The Ladder Drill (For Lag Control)

This is the ultimate drill for dialing in your speed control.

  • How to do it: Place three balls at 20, 30, and 40 feet from a hole (or use tees if you’re just practicing speed).
  • The Goal: Hit the 20-foot putt, then the 30-foot, then the 40-foot. Your only goal is to get all three putts to stop within a 3-foot radius of the hole (imagine a hula-hoop around the cup).
  • Why it works: It trains your brain to instinctively understand how hard to hit a putt based on distance. You’ll stop blazing putts 10 feet by or leaving them 10 feet short.

2. The Clock Drill (For Short Putt Pressure)

You must be automatic from three feet. This drill adds the pressure you feel on the course.

  • How to do it: Place 12 balls in a 3-foot circle around the hole (like the numbers on a clock).
  • The Goal: Go around the clock and make all 12 putts in a row. If you miss one, you must start over from the beginning.
  • Why it works: It’s not just about mechanics; it’s about focus. When you get to ball #10, you will feel the pressure. This simulates the feeling of having to make a putt for par.

3. The Gate Drill (For a Pure Roll)

Missed short putts are often caused by a poor starting line. This drill gives you instant feedback.

  • How to do it: Find a straight, 5-foot putt. Place two tees on the ground just wide enough for your putter head to pass through. About a foot in front of your ball, place two more tees just slightly wider than the ball itself.
  • The Goal: Stroke the putter through the first “gate” and roll the ball through the second “gate.”
  • Why it works: If you hit the ball off-center or have a wobbly stroke, the ball will hit the second gate. It forces you to hit the sweet spot and start the ball exactly where you’re aiming.

4. The 100-Footer (The “No 3-Putt” Zone)

This drill is simple: go to one end of the practice green and putt to a hole on the opposite end. Your goal is not to make it, but to get it inside that imaginary 3-foot circle. Do this 10 times. This makes 30 and 40-footers on the course feel like tap-ins by comparison.

5. The “Read, Roll, and React” Drill

Stop agonizing over every putt. This drill teaches you to trust your first instinct.

  • How to do it: Take three balls to a 25-foot breaking putt.
  • The Goal: You have 20 seconds total. In that time, you must read the green, take one practice stroke, and hit all three putts.
  • Why it works: It stops “paralysis by analysis.” It trains you to pick a line, trust your speed, and accept the result. You’ll be amazed at how much better your instincts are than your over-analytical brain.

It’s About Process, Not Perfection

You’re still going to 3-putt occasionally. Even the pros do. But by practicing these drills, you’ll be building confidence and skill. You’ll stop fearing long putts and start knowing you can get them close. That confidence is the real secret to finally killing the 3-putt for good.

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Stop Trying So Hard: A Zen Guide to Golf That’ll Have You Saying ‘Gunga Galunga’

Tired of your scorecard looking like a phone number? Maybe the problem isn’t your swing, it’s that little voice in your head. It’s time to empty the bucket, stop overthinking, and learn how to ‘be the ball.’ It’s a lot simpler than you think, and the results are… well, they’re nice.

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I see a lot of you out there. Knuckles white, teeth grinding, a vein popping in your forehead because you left a ten-foot putt an inch short. You look like you’re trying to solve a complex math problem, not hit a little white ball into a slightly larger hole. You’re trying so hard, you can’t even see what you’re doing.

A long time ago, the Dalai Lama himself, a big hitter, told me something that’s stuck with me. “Total consciousness.” So I got that goin’ for me, which is nice. But what does that mean for you, standing over a 4-iron with water on the right and nothing but trouble on the left?

It means you have to stop thinking.

That little voice in your head? The one reminding you about your slice, or that you duffed the last chip, or that Judge Smails is watching from the clubhouse patio? You need to tell that voice to take a little vacation. Send it to the 19th hole for a Fresca. Your brain is a powerful tool, but on the golf course, it’s usually on the other team’s payroll.

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The secret is simple. You have to be the ball.

Now, don’t take it literally. You don’t need to become a dimpled sphere of Surlyn. That’s a whole other level of Zen, and honestly, the lawnmowers are a real hazard. To “be the ball” is to see the shot before it happens. It’s a feeling. You look at the target, you see the flight of the ball in your mind-a nice, gentle draw landing softly on the green-and then you just… let it happen.

Think of it like this: you are the ball, the club is just an extension of your arm, and your arm is just a noodle doing what the universe tells it to do. See it, feel it, and then let your body take over. Nanananana…

The more you force it, the worse it gets. It’s like trying to hold water in your fist. You squeeze with all your might, and it just slips through your fingers. But if you relax, cup your hands gently, you can hold it. Your golf swing is the same. Loosen that death grip, relax your shoulders, and just let the club flow.

Golf isn’t a game of perfect. It’s a game of managing the imperfect. It’s about finding that one pure shot in a round that makes you feel connected to everything. That’s the feeling that brings you back. So next time you’re out there, take a deep breath. Look at the trees, listen to the birds, and remember that you’re just a blip in the cosmos hitting a ball with a stick.

Empty the bucket. Stop trying. And just be the ball. You’ll be surprised at what happens when you get out of your own way.

If this little nugget of wisdom helps you find your flow, do me a favor and share it with a friend who’s stuck in their head. The world needs less thinking and more ‘nanananana’. And for more insights from the links, follow us on social media. It’s the Zen thing to do.

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