Bryson DeChambeau’s opening round at The 152nd Open Championship got off to a rough start, leaving fans and analysts alike in shock. Held at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland, the challenging weather conditions added to the difficulties faced by many players on the first day of the tournament.
DeChambeau’s troubles began immediately, starting with a three-putt bogey on the 1st hole. Things only got worse from there. A wayward tee shot on the 3rd hole led to another bogey, and multiple shots from the fescue on the 4th further compounded his struggles. The par-5 6th hole proved especially troublesome when DeChambeau advanced his second shot just five yards out of the fescue and needed five swings to reach the green, resulting in a double bogey. A cross-wind on the short, par-3 8th pushed his ball wide of the target, adding yet another bogey to his scorecard.
By the time he finished the front nine, DeChambeau had tallied an opening score of 42, putting his chances of making it through the weekend in serious jeopardy. The harsh weather at Royal Troon, featuring brisk winds and rain, played directly opposite to the conditions players experienced during their preparation earlier in the week. The wind direction was especially tricky, as it had players facing it head-on during the front nine, a scenario that left DeChambeau struggling to keep pace.
Other players shared in DeChambeau’s misery. Justin Leonard, who opened the tournament, struggled throughout his round and ended with an 80. Todd Hamilton, another former Open champion, didn’t fare much better with an 82. However, not all players succumbed to the tough conditions. Alex Noren managed to card a two-under 69, leading the clubhouse early on despite describing his play as less than stellar. He noted the challenges posed by the wind but remained optimistic, stating, “It’s going to play tricky, but people are going to shoot under par, I think.”
The infamous links course at Royal Troon presented its own set of hazards, with thick fescue and gorse bushes readily punishing any errant shots. Younghan Song, an early leader, experienced this firsthand when he recorded a triple bogey after losing multiple shots in the gorse on the 11th hole, finishing with an even-par 71.
As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on whether DeChambeau can recover from his disastrous start. Known for his powerful long game, he admitted earlier in the week that overpowering the course wasn’t feasible—a notion that seemed prescient given his struggle against Troon’s relentless elements.
The Open Championship is always a test of skill and endurance, and this year’s competition at Royal Troon is proving to be no exception. Fans and followers will be eagerly watching to see how the world’s top golfers adapt and overcome as the tournament progresses.
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In current times, we are spending more time at home. You might be working remotely now or facing limited access to facilities that were previously always available.
Fitness facilities such as gyms, sports and recreation centers, and clinics, which were once integral to our workout routines, are now less accessible or considered unsafe. This shift has disrupted the progress many of us were making towards our fitness goals.
Fear not! We’ve collaborated with the fitness experts at Golf Fit Pro to present you with top-notch golf workouts that can be done in the comfort and safety of your own home. What makes it even better is that each exercise is designed to enhance the strength and flexibility of your golf swing.
Pause for a moment to inhale deeply, rise from the couch, and embark on a journey to regain our fitness!
RISKS OF DECLINED MOVEMENT
It’s important to understand what is at stake when you stop exercising regularly.
While allowing muscles to rest is crucial, prolonged inactivity, changes in exercise patterns, or extended periods of sitting/lying down can lead to various issues. These may encompass:
Muscle tightness as elasticity decreases
Lack of endurance
Loss of strength and mobility
Weight gain
Lowered metabolism
Damaging postural issues
Mood decline/depression & anxiety
Bone loss
Loss of momentum/pride/incentive
Remaining sedentary for short periods is generally harmless, and it’s improbable that lockdowns will lead to diabetes or cancer. However, these idle times often lack a structured exercise routine, which can significantly affect your golf swing (speaking from personal experience here).
Consequently, certain muscles such as the pectorals, abdominals, and hip flexors tend to shorten and tighten, leading to a natural slouching of the skeletal system and disrupting your center of balance (spinal symmetry). These alterations can significantly impact your golf swing, especially hindering the ability to rotate effectively.
DAILY GOLF EXERCISES
To address this, follow this daily exercise sequence to uphold posture and mobility in vital areas that support rotation during your golf swings.
MID BACK MASSAGE (1 X 90 SECONDS)
Utilize a foam roller or a tightly rolled towel to apply firm pressure along the mid and upper back. Gently push out the rib cage and arch your back. Glide the roller or towel up and down to address various sections of your spine.
UPPER BACK EXTENSION (1 X 30 SECONDS)
Using a bench, box, or chair, push your chest down toward the floor whilst keeping your abs/core engaged. You should feel this in your mid and upper back.
STRAIGHT ARM CHEST STRETCH (1 X 30 SECONDS EACH SIDE)
STEP UP AND TURN (1 X 5 REPS EACH SIDE)
In a push-up position, move one of your feet to the outside of your hand on the same side (or as close as possible) then rotate your upper torso with your arm raised – aiming to point your hand straight up to the ceiling.
BACK SWING AND FOLLOW THROUGH (1 X 10 REPS)
Using a piece of rubber tubing or ideally, the Golf Swing Trainer Aid as seen in Netflix – Full Swing, get into your golf set-up position, pushing out against the tubing. From there turn into your backswing and then into your follow-through. Aim to do the majority of the rotation with your torso, keeping your hands in front of your body.
These exercises are both straightforward and impactful, designed to uphold rotational mobility, swing strength, and precision. When you take control, you need not sacrifice discipline or hinder progress. Flexibility in adapting to circumstances is as vital as physical flexibility.
Hey golf fanatics! Have you ever dreamed of playing on the most incredible courses on Earth? The ones that make your jaw drop, your heart race, and leave you speechless? Well, you’re in luck, because today we’re counting down the Top 10 Golf Courses that will blow your mind. Let’s get right to it!
Number 10. Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand
This par 71 course is a visual masterpiece carved into the rugged cliffs of Hawke’s Bay. Imagine teeing off with the Pacific Ocean sprawling out before you, 140 meters below. Every hole is a postcard, with dramatic views of the coastline and surrounding countryside. The course itself is a masterpiece, with undulating fairways, challenging greens, and unpredictable winds that demand both precision and creativity. Playing Cape Kidnappers isn’t just a round of golf, it’s a thrilling adventure that will stay with you forever.
Number 9. Ballybunion Old Course, Ireland
Often hailed as the epitome of links golf, Ballybunion’s Old Course is a timeless treasure. Established in 1893, this course has hosted legendary players and championships, weaving its rich history into every dune and fairway. The course is a true test of skill, with undulating fairways, blind shots, and pot bunkers that demand strategic play. The raw beauty of the landscape adds to the challenge, with rolling dunes, crashing waves, and ever-present winds creating an exhilarating atmosphere. This is golf in its purest form – a thrilling battle against nature and a testament to the enduring spirit of the game.
Number 8. Royal County Down, Northern Ireland
Royal County Down is a true test of golfing mettle. The course boasts a rugged beauty, with towering dunes, gorse-lined fairways, and the majestic Mourne Mountains as a backdrop. It’s a links course that demands both skill and strategy, with blind shots, undulating greens, and unpredictable bounces that keep players on their toes. Iconic holes like the par-3 4th, with its daunting carry over a chasm of gorse, and the picturesque 9th, with its elevated tee and stunning views, are just a few examples of the unforgettable golfing experiences that await you at Royal County Down.
Number 7. Augusta National, USA
Augusta National is a golfer’s mecca. As the hallowed home of the Masters Tournament, the course is steeped in history and tradition, with every fairway and green whispering tales of legendary players and iconic shots. The meticulously manicured landscape, bursting with vibrant azaleas and dogwoods, is a visual feast. The iconic Amen Corner, a treacherous stretch of holes 11, 12, and 13, has been the site of countless dramatic moments that have shaped golfing history. Just walking the fairways, following in the footsteps of giants, is a dream come true for any golfer. The air crackles with anticipation and excitement, making Augusta National a truly unforgettable experience.
Number 6. St. Andrews Old Course, Scotland
A general view of signage at the Old Course, St Andrews. Picture date: Monday July 11, 2022. (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)
St. Andrews Old Course is more than just a golf course; it’s a living legend. Known as the “Home of Golf,” this iconic linksland is where the sport was born and nurtured for centuries. Walking these fairways, you’ll feel the weight of history beneath your feet, with landmarks like the Swilcan Bridge and Hell Bunker serving as silent witnesses to countless rounds played. The course itself is a unique challenge, with wide fairways, massive double greens, and unpredictable bounces that demand creativity and adaptability. The atmosphere during tournaments is electric, with passionate fans lining the fairways and the spirit of the game echoing through every cheer. Playing St. Andrews is a pilgrimage for golfers, an experience that transcends sport and connects you to the very soul of the game.
Number 5. Cypress Point Club, USA
Cypress Point is a golfing paradise, shrouded in exclusivity and mystique. Nestled on the rugged coastline of Pebble Beach, this private club is a haven for those fortunate enough to secure an invitation. The course is a harmonious blend of natural beauty and strategic design, with Alister MacKenzie’s masterful hand evident in every hole. Towering cypress trees frame the fairways, while the crashing waves of the Pacific create a dramatic backdrop for some of the most iconic holes in golf, including the breathtaking par-3 16th. The exclusivity only adds to the allure, making a round at Cypress Point a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience that will linger in your memory long after the final putt drops.
Number 4. Pebble Beach Golf Links, USA
Pebble Beach Golf Links isn’t just a course, it’s an icon. The dramatic coastline, with the Pacific Ocean crashing against the rocks below, is a stunning backdrop for every shot. The iconic 7th hole, a par-3 perched on a cliff, is a dream for golfers worldwide, but the entire course is a masterpiece. From the opening holes winding through the dunes to the challenging finishing stretch along the ocean, Pebble Beach offers a diverse and unforgettable experience. The course has hosted countless historic moments in golf, from dramatic U.S. Open finishes to thrilling celebrity matches, cementing its place in the hearts of golf fans everywhere.
Number 3. Royal Melbourne West Course, Australia
Royal Melbourne’s West Course is a masterpiece crafted by the legendary Alister MacKenzie. Set amidst the rolling sandbelt terrain, this course is a testament to strategic design, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape. The undulating fairways, dramatic bunkering, and lightning-fast greens demand precision and creativity from every player. MacKenzie’s genius shines through in the subtle nuances of each hole, where risk and reward are carefully balanced. The course is both visually stunning and brutally challenging, providing a thrilling experience for professionals competing at the highest level and amateurs seeking a memorable round. Royal Melbourne’s West Course is a true bucket-list destination for any golfer.
Number 2. Muirfield, Scotland
Muirfield is a purist’s paradise, a course that embodies the very essence of links golf. The rolling terrain, framed by windswept dunes and swaying fescue grasses, offers a stunningly natural and challenging landscape. Muirfield demands both precision and strategic thinking, with its firm fairways, deep bunkers, and undulating greens that test even the most skilled players. Every hole tells a story, from the iconic par-3 13th, with its treacherous Biarritz green, to the demanding 18th, where championships have been won and lost. The history of the course is palpable, with echoes of legendary players and dramatic moments embedded in every grain of sand. Muirfield is a pilgrimage for golfers seeking an authentic and rewarding links experience.
Number 1. Pine Valley Golf Club, USA
Pine Valley consistently ranks among the world’s finest, and for good reason. This architectural marvel, hidden away in the pine barrens of New Jersey, is a golfer’s dream come true. George Crump’s original vision, further refined by legends like Harry Colt and A.W. Tillinghast, resulted in a course that’s both beautiful and demanding. Each hole is a distinct challenge, with dramatic elevation changes, sandy waste areas, and meticulously crafted bunkers. Pine Valley isn’t just about difficulty; it’s about the artistry of golf. The serene setting, the impeccable conditioning, and the sheer variety of shots required make it a paradise for players who appreciate the subtleties of the game. A round at Pine Valley is an experience that will forever be etched in the memory of any golfer lucky enough to play it.
So there you have it, our top 10 golf courses that will blow your mind. Have you been lucky enough to play any of these? Let us know in the comments below!
CROMWELL, Conn. – A new rule adjustment will take effect beginning at this week’s Travelers Championship, allowing PGA Tour players additional time for rectifying errors on their scorecards.
As per a Tour memo, the new “scorecard return” adjustment grants players a 15-minute opportunity to rectify a scorecard error, even if they have exited the scoring area.
“The PGA Tour has been working with the USGA, R&A and DP World Tour to amend this definition, with a goal of minimizing penalties or disqualifications related to scorecard errors,” the memo read.
The change will affect both validated and non-validated scorecards, and will be implemented across all Tour-affiliated events and on the DP World Tour, with a few exceptions.
“Exceptions may apply when constraints within the competition limit a player’s correction time to less than 15 minutes, such as releasing tee times following the cut, starting a playoff, or the close of the competition,” the memo read.
Earlier this year at the Genesis Invitational, Jordan Spieth faced disqualification due to an incorrect scorecard signing after his second round. According to the updated regulation, he could have rectified his error by signing for a 72 instead of a 73 if he had returned within the 15-minute timeframe.
Knost asked Schauffele if he’s ever played golf with the Bulls champ, noting it’s ‘really hard to s**t talk him.’
‘I did my best version of it — and then he beat me,’ Schauffele said.
Xander Schauffele admitted to being outplayed by NBA icon Michael Jordan in his own domain.
One thing to keep in mind is that it was at MJ’s course, where he designed it specifically to fit his game. When you’re the GOAT of basketball, you can do what you want…right?
Slightly misleading headlines here (we know, it’s the internet and we wanted you to click), he beat him on 2 holes, 15-16 not the entire round.
‘Straight up. Embarrassing,’ Schauffele went on, explaining that Jordan beat him ‘in the last three holes.’
‘I pancaked him on his stroke holes, and I started talking s–t to him and he got all quiet [and] focused. And then he birdied 15-16, no strokes. Beat me straight up. And I was like, “All right.”‘
Knost joked that it was ‘weird he came through when he needed to,’ and the pair agreed that Jordan was great at chipping and putting.
The 61-year-old basketball icon was known for his trash talk during his NBA career, a trait that seems to have endured long after his playing days.
Former NHL player Ryan Whitney, co-host of Barstool Sports’ Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, fondly recounted a golfing excursion with the six-time NBA champion.
‘He doesn’t say a word to me,’ Whitney said on his podcast in March. ‘We get to 17, it’s the 35th hole of the day, par five, I’m on [the green] in two. He’s dead.’
Jordan countered with a birdie to stay competitive, while Whitney failed to sink his own birdie putt.
‘First thing he said all day was, ”That’s right, b****,”’ Whitney recalled.
‘So then we go to 36. I finish the last hole. Another press, lose that hole too. He’s like, ”A scratch golfer … B**** you couldn’t scratch my wife’s a**. I just left. I just paid him 10 grand and left.
‘I felt this big [holding fingers closely apart]. He’s pumping rap tunes the whole time that say his name in the song. I was like, ”What planet am I on right now?”
With how many wins Scottie Scheffler has been tallying up this year (5 so far as of June 10, 2024), many people are wondering who Scottie Scheffler’s caddie is. Scottie’s run over the last two years has been a lot of fun to watch, and if you’re reading this, you probably agree.
So let’s dive into it.
Who is Scottie Scheffler’s Caddie?
Ted Scott is currently living the high life. Serving as the caddie for World No.1, Scottie Scheffler, he enjoys a prime vantage point as the 27-year-old dominates nearly every PGA Tour event he enters.
Introducing Ted Scott, or teddy, as most people call him. The Masters put out a video about him last year.
He’s one of the more well-known caddies in the business, but I figured I’d share some stuff that you might not know about him here.
In 1994, Teddy won the World Foosball Championship. He recalled an interesting event that he attended saying, “It was like a crack house for foosball players.”
“It was a little bit like ‘Silence of the Lambs’ walking in the basement going down there to play foosball. There was 25 people in there, nobody smoked downstairs, it was really hot, had this eerie lighting, concrete block walls, and here I roll in, here comes the captain, and I promise you, not five people knew who I was. They were all totally sweating and totally into their foosball deal.”
What is your greatest golf memory? Playing golf with my Dad and my Grandfather on holidays in Alexandria as a kid.
What is your greatest memory as a caddie? Winning the Masters in 2012.
Ted Scott was caddie for Bubba Watson and in the fall of 2021 the split was announced. Scott was ready to retire from caddying and go all-in on his golf-lesson business. He had already done everything to be serious about teaching. He’d been teaching off and on since he was 27 years old.
But when Scottie Scheffler called, the coaching got put on the back-burner for now. I’d say he made a pretty good call coming back to work with Scottie Scheffler.
How Much Money Has Scottie Scheffler’s Caddie Won In 2024?
We’re going to make an assumption here and stick with the standard cut for a caddie on the PGA Tour. That’s usually around 10% of the winner’s check and between 5-7% depending on how high up a player finishes. With how well Scottie has been playing, is your head turning trying to calculate how much Ted Scott might have taken home this year?
As of June 10, 2024 we’re estimating that Ted Scott has taken home a bonus of over $2.2 million so far this season. If we put that up against the PGA Tour’s money list for 2024 that would put Ted Scott ahead of both Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee… so he earns significantly more than the average PGA Tour player at this point, which is $1,409,853.
Let’s look at the numbers here to see how this actually worked out. Here are the tournaments that Scottie Scheffler has won so far in 2024.
Tournament
Date
Winnings
Arnold Palmer Invitational
March 7-10, 2024
$4,000,000
The PLAYERS Championship
March 14-17, 2024
$4,500,000
Masters Tournament
April 11-14, 2024
$3,600,000
RBC Heritage
April 18-22, 2024
$3,600,000
the Memorial Tournament
June 6-9, 2024
$4,000,000
So if we go with the 10% of winners check at each of the tournament, the numbers work out this way.
Here are what we estimate earnings to be for Ted Scott.
Tournament
Date
Winnings
Arnold Palmer Invitational
March 7-10, 2024
$400,000
The PLAYERS Championship
March 14-17, 2024
$450,000
Masters Tournament
April 11-14, 2024
$360,000
RBC Heritage
April 18-22, 2024
$360,000
the Memorial Tournament
June 6-9, 2024
$400,000
So if we tally this up, it comes out to $1,970,000 so far for 2024.
Ted Scott’s hilarious story about his first week as a professional caddie:
